BARCALOCA Past Review

By (International Management, Bentley University) - abroad from 01/14/2013 to 04/26/2013 with

API (Academic Programs International): Barcelona - Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
it was completely worthwhile. i learned a lot about the world, the spanish culture, and i grew up a lot and learned a lot about myself as well.

Personal Information

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

they could have done a better job helping us with customs - EX. my mom sent me a package but it never arrived at the API office. My advisors said that I should email customs and ask about the package but I would have appreciated they're help with emailing customs because my Spanish wasn't that great

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

no other abroad students in my building - all of my friends were in groups in Gracia and we lived near no one.

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 250
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? dont buy groceries in bulk compare prices at local supermarkets buy fruits and veggies at the local stores

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 1
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? talk to your taxi drivers and whoever will listen and correct your spanish

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • arnau!
  • my spanish teachers
  • the excursions
* What could be improved?
  • more help from advisors
  • someone checking over class requirements
  • longer add/drop period
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? not everything is always going to go your way in a new country but you have to take the good with the bad and let it work itself out

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.