IES Abroad: Barcelona - IES Abroad Barcelona Center Photo

My Experience in Barcelona

A Study Abroad Program Review For

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:

Christi D. (MPA, The University of Texas at Austin) on September 06, 2011

Overall Rating

Personal Information

* Start Date: 2011-05-23
* End Date: 2011-07-10
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

* Home Institution Advising:

How well did The University of Texas at Austin 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? I used the taxi system a lot and ate many meals out at restaurants.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? I did not have much experience with the language of the host country
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

The locals; Yes I used the host country language in many interactions; Some people spoke english

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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 did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? YES!!!