Amazing experience in Barcelona! Past Review
By Anonymous f (Spanish and Anthropology, University of California - Berkeley) for
University of Barcelona: Barcelona - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My experience in Barcelona was absolutely worthwhile I would highly recommend that everyone study abroad at some point in their lives. Getting to know a different culture leads to greater global awareness!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I had an excellent experience while studying at the University of Barcelona! My courses were entirely taught in either Spanish or Catalán (which I learned to speak that year). My Spanish literature classes had about 20-25 students, and my Anthropology courses had about 50-60. The grading system is on a 1-10 scale (10 being the highest). I attended just about every lecture, diligently took notes and took a midterm and final. I received all "10's", but I was a strong student at UC Berkeley as well. I was able to meet with a tutor once a week at the University which helped me go over material and questions I had from my note-taking. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The EAP program at the University of Barcelona had an excellent group of administrators who also organized a month long orientation program in Madrid. Throughout the year they coordinated various activities, trips (Valencia, Granada, San Sebastián). They were also able to convalidate my coursework so that I was able to receive appropriate credit for the classes I was taking there. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was fortunate to be able to live with family. I would highly recommend students to live with a host family for the best experience in getting to know the local customs, traditions, politics, etc. |
| * Food: |
Wow! The food in Barcelona is absolutely excellent! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There's an active and vibrant night club scene in Barcelona. I would go out with friends dancing until 4:00AM-5:00AM. It was very easy to meet people at cafés, the library, in classes. Catalán people are very friendly (one you get to know them) and will be become your life long friends! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt that it was very safe in Barcelona. I walked in almost every neighborhood, even in the wee hours. But of course, it's important to use common sense! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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 |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
At the University of Barcelona in the department of languages (Patio de Letras) there were many posting of students looking to do a language exchange with local students. I met several friends that year through doing conversation exchange. We would normally meet for coffee right on campus and chat for an hour or so. Later on during the year, we ended up socializing more, going to the movies with other friends and meeting up for dinners. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be open to new experiences! Learn to speak Catalán! Listen and others and share your philosophies! |
