Barcelona: Overrated and Full of Drunk & Ignorant Americans Past Review
By Melissa O (Political Science, University of California - San Diego) for
Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona - UAB / University Autonoma of Barcelona: Direct Enrollment & Exchanges
Yes I am glad that I went but it was more challenging and disappointing than I expected.
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Some of the teachers were TERRIBLE and boring, while others were great and helpful. But seemed like there were a large number of bad teachers that should be dismissed from the study abroad program. It seemed as if no other department would take them so they went to the study abroad department to terrorize international students with sub-par teaching. Entirely TOO many American students. It was not an exchange program but rather an american program that happened to be in Spain. I would not recommend it to anyone. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Program was far too big. Administrators were friendly but always seemed overwhelmed. I was disappointed by the program; far too many ignorant Americans, I felt like I was studying abroad in New England with a group of spoiled rich kids. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Host family often ogssiped about us to neighbors/friends but also other exchange students living in the host family so it was a negative energy to say the least The food was terrible and extremely unhealthy. Host family was passive aggressive often and made it clear that students were a means of income more than anything else. |
| * Food: |
The food in Barcelona is absolutely HORRIBLE. Nothing but bread and meat. I would not recommend the food to anyone. The food was the worst part about my abroad experience by far. Everyone was constantly complaining about the food because it not only tasted bad but was unhealthy and expensive as well. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Program was full of spoiled rich and obnoxious and ignorant American kids. None of them attempted to learn spanish or integrate into the culture, they were simply there to party and be drunk. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Nearly everyone got robbed, pickpocketed especially. Not a particularly safe city. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Do an intercambio! Practice as much as you can! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would recommend going to another city or town in Spain for a real authentic spanish experience. Go to Barcelona only if you are looking to party and be surrounded by Americans. |
