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Studying Abroad in Barcelona, Spain w IES Abroad
IES Abroad: Barcelona - IES Abroad Barcelona Center
Program Information
Study abroad in Barcelona—capital of the autonomous province of Catalonia. The IES Abroad Barcelona program provides students with opportunities to learn or perfect Spanish while studying business and liberal arts.
| Provider: | IES Abroad |
| Location(s): | Barcelona, Spain |
| Year Founded: | |
| Website | Take me there! |
Review By:
Diamond P. (Sociology, Villanova University) on February 16, 2012
Overall Rating
Personal Information
| * Start Date: | 2011-09-01 |
| * End Date: | 2011-12-17 |
| 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 workload, although mindful of a study abroad experience was still typical of an expected college workload but the types of assignments made the workload seem different since a lot of field studies were performed in classes. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff was great and very helpful once we arrived and for the duration of the program, always accessible by email or phone. |
| * Housing: |
My homestay was in an appropriate location for travel to and from classes and other activities. I felt safe in my neighborhood. I could get to various places within walking distance or by a local metro or bus stop. Breakfast and Dinner was provided for me. My senora allowed us to store groceries for lunch in her kitchen, as we were responsible for providing our own lunch. All major necessities were provided, personally desired items were purchased. |
| * Food: |
quality/quantity |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
mandatory study journey to Costa Brava, weekday activities and seminars with special guests |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Besides the pickpocketers and wild drivers, Barcelona was pretty safe compared to our American cities especially at night |
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* Home Institution Advising:
How well did Villanova 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Get involved in an activity outside of your classes abroad for example, an internship, a club/organization to practice in a business or social setting. |
| 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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Research! Ask former students. Evaluate your comfort with the Spanish language. An outgoing, determined, open-minded, goal-oriented student is encouraged to enter into this experience. |
| * What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? | Indeed! |