Tell me more:
Program Information
This program is designed for students with 4 semesters of Spanish. Students who wish to learn about Spain and Europe through living in the unique and beautiful city of Barcelona will find that this program provides an ideal opportunity.
Program Snapshot
* Engage in Spanish culture through regular Uni... More
| Provider: | CIEE |
| Location(s): | Barcelona, Spain |
| Year Founded: | |
| Website | Take me there! |
Review By:
Katherine G. (political science, Fordham University) on January 10, 2012
Overall Rating
Personal Information
| * Start Date: | 2011-09-05 |
| * End Date: | 2011-12-22 |
| 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. |
The grading system was extremely fair. The work load was less than what is expected in the United States, but it gives you a great opportunity to actually go out and see the city. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
CIEE was always incredibly helpful and availiable. I could not have asked for a better program. |
| * Housing: |
CIEE provided all kitchen supplies and sheets. The dorm rooms were nice, but the internet connection wasn't great and they have a strict guest policy. |
| * Food: |
The food in Barcelona is great, but extremely expensive. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Barcelona is known for having the best nightlife in Europe. The city also has a lot of festivals and celebrations during the fall semester. CIEE schedules a lot of cultural trips on weekends, and I reccomed going on all of them. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Watch your wallet. At least a quarter of all the students in my program were pick-pocketed at some point. |
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* Home Institution Advising:
How well did Fordham University 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? | I spent all of my money just on transportation and food. If you're on a budget, stay with a host family. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Span 2001 |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I took all of my classes in Spanish and CIEE set up inter-cultural nights to introduce American and Spanish students |
| 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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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same program? | Yes |
| * What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? | My study abroad experience was extremely positive, especially when it came to improving my Spanish. |