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Study Abroad Program Review of International Studies Abroad (ISA): Barcelona - Pompeu Fabra University

Submitted by Michelle Nguyen (Economics,Rice University) on October 2nd, 2009

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Academics
Language
Housing & Food
Culture & Health
Final Opinion

Personal Information

Participation Year:

2009

Term:

Winter

If you enrolled at multiple foreign universities, please list them here:

Universitat Pompeu Fabra, ESCI (School of International Trade)

Academics Overall

**Overall educational experience:

**Comment:

The teachers were very knowledgeable about their subjects and interested in talking with their students. They were extremely approachable, and I felt like I really got to know my professors during the semester. The teachers were understanding of foreign students and maybe for that reason, the classes were not extremely difficult and we did not get much homework. At the same time though, I felt like I learned A LOT and was very interested in my classes.

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Course Title:

Between Tolerance and Conflict: Muslims, Jews, and Christians in the Iberrian Peninsula

Course Department and Number:

Hispanic and Espanol Studies

Instructor:

Victor Farias

Language of Instruction:

English

Please comment on the course:

Excellent class to learn about the history of Spain and the influence of the 3 religions once present and co-living in Spain. Victor is a fantastic instructor and made class interesting and fun. He was very knowledgeable about the topic and a personable professor. Not very challenging but definitely interesting lectures and class discussions!

Please rate the course overall:

Did you have any credit transfer issues upon return to your home institution? If so, what would you suggest to other students?

This class transferred for me as a Religious Studies class. I could also see it as a Hispanic Studies class.

Course

**Course Title:

Espanol Nivel Avanzado

**Course Department and Number:

PEI (Language Learning Program)

**Instructor:

Anna Turza

**Language of Instruction:

Spanish

**Please comment on the course:

Excellent class. Anna was a wonderful teacher, very caring and gave students lots of individual attention and feedback. The class incorporated a variety of assignments (essays, presentations, debates, grammar/oral exercises, etc). A lot of opportunity to practice writing, reading, speaking Spanish in a comfortable and encouraging environment. Also, through many of our activities we were able to learn more about Spanish/Catalan culture. We even had conversation partners with local students learning English.

**Please rate the course overall:

**Did you have any credit transfer issues upon return to your home institution? If so, what would you suggest to other students?

This class would transfer as a 3rd year, advanced Spanish Language class.

Course

**Course Title:

Arte y Artistas

**Course Department and Number:

HESP

**Instructor:

Eduard Cairol

**Language of Instruction:

Spanish

**Please comment on the course:

I loved this class! Prof. Cairol did not assign any homework and we only had 2 tests (a midterm and final based on our analysis of important paintings we had discussed). This class as not difficult but Prof. Cairol's thoughtful way of teaching and knowledge made this one of my favorite classes I have ever taken. We studied Picasso, Miro, Dali, and Tapies and had the chance to visit the a number of museums in Barcelona.

**Please rate the course overall:

**Did you have any credit transfer issues upon return to your home institution? If so, what would you suggest to other students?

This class transferred for me as an upper level Art History class, but I think it could also transfer as a Hispanic Studies class.

Course

**Course Title:

Economic Organizations and Markets

**Course Department and Number:

Economics

**Instructor:

Petar Balachev

**Language of Instruction:

English

**Please rate the course overall:

**Please comment on the course:

Prof. Balachev was an engaging lecturer and used interesting real world examples, exercises to explain the material. We had problem sets every week which we could work on in groups and then 1 final exam. The class was challenging and had us apply the theory we learned to current events and our own lives.

**Did you have any credit transfer issues upon return to your home institution? If so, what would you suggest to other students?

I am in the process of applying for transfer credit as an upper level Economics elective.

Language Overall

**Language acquisition improvement?

**Comment:

Barcelona, although a very fun and exciting city, isn't the ideal place to learn Spanish in my opinion. There are a lot of tourists and English-speakers in the city. However, if you make the effort to engage with locals, host family, and practice Spanish, you will have a great time and improve your Spanish.

Host Country Program Administration Overall

**On-site administration of your program:

**Please explain the program's strengths and weaknesses:

The ISA office in Barcelona was extremely helpful and generally just fun people to talk with and hang out with. They helped out with setting up classes (they were liaisons with the university), provided us with information about cultural activities/things to do in Barcelona (every weekend, they would send us a recommendation list of cool events, good restaurants to try, etc.). They also organized a number of field trips for the group and fun activities such as cooking classes or rollerblading around the city. They also can help you if you get sick, robbed, have homestay issues, or if you're just confused in general. They were great!

Housing Overall

Living arrangements? (all that apply):

Host Family

**Housing satisfaction:

**Comment:

I lived with a roommate assigned to me from the same program. We shared a bedroom in the apartment in area near Parc Ciutadella with a family comprised of a mother, a 18 year old daughter, a 14 year old son.

Great, safe feeling location, near a metro stop, the university I attended, and the beach.

Food Overall

**Food satisfaction:

**Comment:

My host mom always prepared our meals, most of which were home-cooked and delicious. Barcelona has a lot of restaurants of diverse types of food, but it can be pretty costly.

Safety and Health Overall

**How well were health issues addressed through your program?

**Safety:

**Comment:

ISA included health insurance in the price of the program and the office in Barcelona made it clear that we were to contact them with any health/safety issues. They took care of these problems efficiently and made sure we were given the care that we needed.

Money Overall

**How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

General Assessment Overall

**Words of wisdom:

If you are looking for a fun, relaxing program and want to practice Spanish every so often (even more if you make the effort because the opportunity is there!), then Barcelona is for you. ISA offers a great program that is a good balance of support/organized trips and activities while still giving you your independence and letting you explore on your own and have your study abroad experience to be as you want it.

**Overall satisfaction with your study abroad experience:

**Was your study abroad experience worthwhile?

I think my experience was worthwhile and much needed. I thought it was a great break from university life and a great opportunity to learn more about a different country and culture. I improved my language speaking, comprehension abilities and met interesting and fun new friends. I felt I had a unique experience traveling independently as a student and have a greater appreciation of being globally aware.

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Study Abroad Program Review of International Studies Abroad (ISA): Barcelona - Pompeu Fabra University

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