Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

BEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE Past Review

By (Management, Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 01/06/2014 to 04/26/2014 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Barcelona, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I can not even put into words how much I learned abroad. It is a key growing experience and I hope everyone can experience it. Barcelona is a city like non other. I grew as an adult because I had a lot more freedom and i also grew culturally from traveling to over 10 different countries.

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

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 1k
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I wish I could give any tips it is very hard to save money. My main tip would be when you travel to stay in two star hotels and fly with cheap airlines such as ryanair

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? senior year high school
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Working together in groups
  • International business class
  • Freedom to question what you learn
* What could be improved?
  • Attendance policy is a little steep
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Make sure to see as much of europe as you can. It is an amazing place and if you understand europe you will understand where Americas values came from

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.