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:
Leah P. (Civil engineering, Hope College) on August 08, 2011
Overall Rating
Personal Information
| * Start Date: | 2011-01-03 |
| * End Date: | 2011-04-16 |
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universitat Pompeu Fabra |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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| * Housing: |
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| * 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: |
I never really felt unsafe. There were always people around even late at night so I never felt like I could be attacked. I didn't spend a lot of time around bars or dance clubs though. I never needed to use the healthcare system. |
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* Home Institution Advising:
How well did Hope 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I lived very cheaply while there. I spent about 30 euros per week so 50-60 dollars per week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I forgot about the expenses of overweight luggage on the trip home. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 5 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I spoke Spanish in all my classes, with my host family, and in everyday interactions. I only used English with my American friends and at church. Most people knew a little English if necessary but no one immediately jumped to English if I was trying to speak in Spanish. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * 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? | I became more confident in myself. When I got back home my friends said I didn't really change, I just became a better me. |