CIEE: Barcelona - Business & Culture Photo

Barcelona: A Great Place to Study, Learn A Different Culture, and Have Fun

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:

Kevin M. (Finance, Providence College) on August 02, 2011

Overall Rating

Personal Information

* Start Date: 2011-01-02
* End Date: 2011-04-26
If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: N/A
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I though the work load was perfect for me. The grading system was a little different than I'm used to in America, but I thought it was fair.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I think the strengths of the program was that it prepared us greatly for what to expect in Barcelona. I cannot think of a weakness. i though my program was perfect the way it was and wouldnt change a thing about it.

* Housing:

I lived in a single dorm room where I had my own bathroom and bedroom. I shared a kitchen with a foreign student and that was nice when trying to practice my spanish.

* Food:

I would recommend trying the local places to get used to the Spanish meals and also the places along side the waterfront. A lot of great places down there that are a little more like American food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The beach clubs in Barcelona are amazing. One of my favorite places that I went to was the Sagrada Familia and the whole church is quite amazing as well. Gaudi's work is all over the city and its really cool to see. Also I though it was cool that I lived like literally two seconds away from the Arc de Triumph.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I had no problems with illness there, not any problems with saftey.

* 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? nothing in particular.

Language

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

My instructor was amazing. Her name was Susana and she was extremely helpful. I have never taken Spanish before and she was always there to help me even though I was struggled much more than the students in my class.

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

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 to be open minded.
* What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? Yes! I just loved how being in Europe allows you to travel anywhere you want in Europe for relatively cheap prices. I went all over and it was just amazing seeing all these places rich with culture and history.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

International finance

Course Department:
Instructor: Ferran Macipe
Instruction Language: English and Spanish
Comments: Difficult
Credit Transfer Issues: Yes.
Course Name/Rating:

Spain and Catalonia thru the Arts

Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English and Spanish
Comments: The couse was great. I loved all the field trips and my teacher was fantastic (even though I cannot remember her name at this time)
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Human Resources

Course Department:
Instructor: Mrs. Ortiz
Instruction Language: English and Spanish
Comments: Didnt enjoy it at all. Didnt count for my major and though the class was boring and terrible
Credit Transfer Issues: no
Course Name/Rating:

Histoy od Spain

Course Department:
Instructor: Agnes
Instruction Language: english and Spanish
Comments: Great class to take. Took us all around Barcelona on field trips and it was really enjoyable for me.
Credit Transfer Issues: no
Course Name/Rating:

Spanish

Course Department:
Instructor: Susana
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: very much so based on the fact that I had never taken spanish before. However I loved my teacher. Susana was fantastic and she helped me through all my struggle in the language
Credit Transfer Issues: