API (Academic Programs International): Barcelona - University Autonoma of Barcelona Photo

Barcelona was the best thing to ever happen to me!

Program Information

The University Autònoma of Barcelona was founded in 1968 and is well known for its international profile. API students complete classes in English and in Spanish with mostly American students at two different campuses. The Sant Pau campus is located in a renovated UNESCO World Heritage building near the famous... More

Provider: Academic Programs International (API)
Location(s): Barcelona, Spain
Year Founded: 1997
Website Take me there!

Review By:

Jackie S. (Psychology and Sociology, Western Washington University) on January 05, 2012

Overall Rating

Personal Information

* Start Date: 2011-09-01
* End Date: 2011-12-16
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I did not like the grading system, the professors graded very hard but unclear what their expectations were.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Such incredible, helpful, friendly, and dedicated people

* Housing:

* Food:

Spanish people do not eat very much!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I traveled a lot and experienced so much of the world

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt safer there than I do in America. barcelona is very safe.

* Home Institution Advising:

How well did Western Washington University prepare and support you for your time abroad?

Finances

* 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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
Language acquisition improvement?

Every day interactions and I lived with a host family

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people
  • The excursions
  • how organized it was
* What could be improved?
  • nothing
* If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same program? Yes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? GO ABROAD! It will be the best decision you will ever make
* What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? I learned more about myself and the world than I ever thought was possible