Take me back to Barcelona! Past Review

By (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Barnard College) for

Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Without a doubt worthwhile; irreplaceable experience that I learned so much about myself and other cultures from.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Not a heavy workload, although you are asked to do a lot of reflective work like journals and field trip reports.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* 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:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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? If you plan to travel, book your tickets and hostels in advance because there are so many cheap options within and outside of Spain.

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

Language acquisition improvement?

I would speak almost only English in the Abroad center, but spoke Spanish in most public settings, with my host family, and with Spanish students.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans