Semester in Barcelona Past Review
By Alethea D (International Relations & Political Science, Wellesley College) for
CIEE: Barcelona - Advanced Liberal Arts
Yes, definitely. There are just aspects I would have changed, particularly after hearing about other students' experiences.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Sociology of Law, International Protection of Human Rights, Economic Policy |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I had an unpleasant experience in terms of academics. CIEE did not accurately advise me and I ended up taking classes that were way beyong my level. Professors in the university are not very accessible. The work load was managable--only final exams--though this puts a lot of stress at the end of the semester. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
CIEE's Barcelona program was not as well prepared for the Advanced Liberal Arts (ALA) program as I was expecting. I believe this was either their first or second time having an ALA program in addition to the regular Liberal Arts program, and from what I understand the other was much more pleasant to participate in. I was allowed to enroll in classes that were too advanced for me--for instance, I took a third-year law course. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was placed with a woman, her boyfriend, and her cousin in an apartment across the street from the Arc de Triomf. I loved the family and the location. We later moved to an apartment further north, in an area called Gracia. I enjoyed being able to live in two different neighborhoods in Barcelona (though the moving part was a little inconvenient). They were wonderful people and great cooks! I did not have to bring anything and they provided all my meals. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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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? |
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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I felt fairly well prepared in terms of expenses. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 242 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I loved living with a host family. This was my major source of practice. The program's attempts at organizing events with both Spanish and American students was not particularly effective. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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