Great Learning Experience. Sad its goes by so fast. Would do it all over again! Past Review
By Jenecke' C (Elementary Education, Roger Williams University) for
Arcadia: Barcelona- Arcadia in Barcelona
I gain independence and street smarts, a whole new view on traveling and planning alone/with friends. As a teacher I now more linguistically and culturally aware. I loved seeing Europe!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Arcadia University, University of Barcelona |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Grading system was different and at times hard to understand. Lack of quizzes and frequent tests affected my grades in some class (just the kind of educational system). Class difficulty was not bad. Work load was average and managable. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Program was very well organized. It had a lot of great and free opportunities to learn more on the weekends. Had a young secretary that all students in the program could connect to on a personal level. All teachers/faculty members were very helpful and fun! They do a great job! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lived with one other American from my home institution and another student from Northern Spain. We all got along for the most part. Other Spanish roommate was very shy and lacked proper hygiene. Apartment was clean and fit to live in. Great location, near metro and about 1.5 from Arcadia. Landlord was nice too. |
| * Food: |
Opened up the variety of food I now eat due to this exposure to this culture! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Traveling all over Europe on the weekends. Specifically in Spain; Madrid, Girona, Stiges and Sevilla |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Roommates, classmates, citizens, teachers, advisors, and out in the streets |
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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Prepare! Be wise with money. Watch your belongings when in public. Always lock doors at night. Never go home with someone you don't know. Never leave your drink. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Spanish Intermediate |
| Course Department: | 351 |
| Instructor: | Carmen |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Teacher was rude and impatient. I would say she was prejudiced towards Americans. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Not that I know of |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Catalan Labyrinth |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Marina Diaz |
| Instruction Language: | English/some Spanish |
| Comments: | Teacher was very kind and welcoming. Spoke in English but still incorporated Spanish. She was also very funny and had a good way to teaching/assessing. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
History of the Modern World at Barcelona University |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Combined class |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Course was well organized and moderately easy for a person whose second language was Spanish. Teachers were funny and welcoming. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
