CIEE: Barcelona - Business & Culture Photo

Learning more in a semester then I did in 3 years

A Study Abroad Program Review For

CIEE: Barcelona - Business & Culture

Program Information

This program is designed for students at any language level with a strong interest in business and economics (classes taught both in English and Spanish). Students who are motivated to develop their Spanish language skills and learn about Spain and Europe through living in the unique and beautiful city of Barc... More

Provider: CIEE
Location(s): Barcelona, Spain
Year Founded:
Website Take me there!

Review By:

Emma M. (management, Providence College) on May 18, 2011

Overall Rating

Personal Information

* Start Date: 2011-01-03
* End Date: 2011-04-16
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

I lived in a room alone and shared a kitchen with other students. They were mainly international students and spoke several languages. I was able to speak Spanish with them

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

* Home Institution Advising:

How well did Providence College 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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? bring more money then you think you will need

Language

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

I needed to know basic Spanish to get around. Many people spoke English.

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* 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? Just do it and don't hold back. Students need to be competent and independent/ open minded/ responsible
* What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? Yes it definitely was. I learned so much about myself and the rest of the world.