Life-Changing in all regards. An escape from reality. Past Review
By Justin C (Accounting and Related Services., Bentley University) - abroad from 01/07/2013 to 04/11/2013 with
Barcelona SAE: Semester Study Abroad Programs in Barcelona
cultural awareness. Absolutely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
UPF's regular course offerings were legitimate. However, as far as resources go UPF needs work. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Administrators provided little to no help and Aula Global was not much better. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We picked our own apartment separately from the University. Definite plus. Our apartment was luxurious. Met a lot of people with student housing and it just does not compare. Remember, your living there for 4 months. The best 4 months of your life. Enjoy it, splurge a little. |
| * Food: |
Spain is not known for there food. That is not to say it wasn't good because Barcelona is a huge city with many amazing restaurants. However, there are other countries with better food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
UPF is a great University if you wish to be immersed in the culture. You are able to take classes with the local students as well. In doing so, you make many local friends. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
My program did not assist me at all with my health problems. They were useless. I had to handle everything on my own. Their clinics were not much different from what we have at home. The doctor was very helpful. No vaccines were needed for this program. |
| * Safety: |
Listen, there is crime in every city in the world. Like all cities, just know places to avoid at night, don't wander alone at night, and so forth. Otherwise, Barcelona is a very safe, it is a very clean city, and its the best city in Europe. Also, regarding pickpockets, it does not happen as often as everyone makes it out to seem. If you act like a tourist and are ignorant then maybe you will be targeted in a crowded area. Basically, if your stupid and fall for their tricks then you will fall victim. But at that point you deserve it. Again, it can happen anywhere in the world just be normal and be cautious. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
Put it this way, I COULD live on a 200+ budget. Sometimes its cheaper than that other times its more expensive. It all depends on your own budget. One thing though; DO NOT be cheap. You will never have this opportunity again. This doesn't mean spend money on useless items. It means if you want to do something do it. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 300 U.S. Dollars |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Yeah; Don't be lazy, get a job, and save your money. It will all be worth it when your abroad and you want to travel, you want to go out at night, etc... |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Pre-Intermediate |
| 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? | Make friends with the local students. The best way to learn the language is from them, not from class. If you don't speak it everyday you will not learn it. You will pick it up much better outside the classroom. It is up to you though to do so. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew how fast it really went. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
