Tell me more:
Barcelona: I am coming back soon.
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:
Matthew J. (Finance, Providence College) on July 27, 2011
Overall Rating
Personal Information
| * Start Date: | 2011-01-02 |
| * End Date: | 2011-04-14 |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Overall the educational experience was very good. I enjoyed the different style of teaching from professors abroad. I however was not too enthused about the grading system. It seemed that they were under the belief that in order to get an A, you had to be the #1 student in the country. Workload was considerably less overall compared to Providence, however I did have one class that requiered more work than any course I have ever taken at Providence (International Finance) |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Administration of my program was generally good. They set up many activities for us students to engulf ourselves in the culture. Whenever I had a problem I could go to the school and had the resources and help to get things done. The size was perfect. I felt like I could meet various people and bonded with new friends that I am sure to stay in touch with. One weekness of the program was in its housing selection process. |
| * Housing: |
I was placed in a residencia. I was put in a small room by myself with only about 20 other kids from my program. When a majority of them complained about the living situaition they were allowed to move to the nicer location. However about 4 or 5 of us were stuck. I feel like those who lived in the other situation, where about 75 percent of my program lived had a generally better time and made more conenctions with those they lived with. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Barcelona was a great city and not once did I feel for my safety. I had one friend who got jumped, however he was walking home alone at 5am. I dont think that reflects the country because that happens everyewhere. |
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* Home Institution Advising:
How well did Providence College prepare and support you for your time abroad? |
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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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | laundry was about 5 euros or 7, 8 dollars |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Most people in Barcelona spoke in English therefore it did not serve as a problem during day to day life. However our program taught a mandatory class in Spanish, set us up with Spanish local students to hangout with and learn more Spanish, and set up times where you could meet with locals to talk and better your language. |
| 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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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Go to Barcelona. Once in a life oppourtunity to spend all your money and not regret a minute of it. |
| * What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? | yes |