I loved everything about my study abroad in Barcelona Past Review
By Victoria M (Physical Therapy/Therapist., Simmons College) for
API (Academic Programs International): Barcelona - Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
Yes. I gained an understanding of another culture, of euorpean and spanish politics and history. I had a lot of fun. Overall it was a really great experience
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | University Autonoma de Barcelona |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
| The term and year this program took place: | Spring 2010 |
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:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing was much better than I expected, it was really nice. The only problems we had were if/when things broke it took a very long time to replace if they were replaced at all |
| * Food: |
the grocery store was convenient and had good quality food. Our apartment was well equipped for cooking. The food was excellent at all the restaurants |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved everything about my stay. The people were wonderful, the way of life was comfortable and slower than I was used to, there were a lot of magnificent sights. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The program addressed health issues well, but the clinics I went to were not helpful, I was sick for a while and did not receive any help from the clinics, it was not until I went to the ER that I received treatment, but the program was very supportive through the process. Aside from being sick i never felt unsafe |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? | transportation is probably where I spent most unexpected money. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I do know if my knowledge of the language increased dramatically, but I can speak in a much more normal tone (everyday speech as opposed to formal speech) and I am much more comfortable using the language. When I arrived in Barcelona it was easier to have a conversation with a Spanish person in english and at the end it was much easier to have a conversation in Spanish (my grasp on spanish increased past their knowledge of english) |
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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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | the API staff in spain were absolutely wonderful. They did their jobs well, while establishing a meaningful relationship with their students |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Spanish Civilization and culture |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Nuria Bernalez Rodriguez |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | I took two classes with her with the same layout- 3/4 graded seminars, midterm exam, final, and a major project were the graded assignments. The first half of the semester was lecture by the professor, the second was presentation of all group projects. Overall it was a pretty good course, it was fair and expectations were clearly laid out |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Spanish B1.2 |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Roberto Rama |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | It was a really small class (5 people), which was good for individual attention, but made it hard if we were trying to have a debate of discussion especially is someone was absent. The professor was very good and made sure everyone was clear on the topic |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Spanish history of the 20th century |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Nuria Bernalez Rodriguez |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | I took two classes with her with the same layout- 3/4 graded seminars, midterm exam, final, and a major project were the graded assignments. The first half of the semester was lecture by the professor, the second was presentation of all group projects. Overall it was a pretty good course, it was fair and expectations were clearly laid out. Heavy focus on dates in the midterm (multiple choice), 4 short answers on the final |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
