Amazement Past Review

By (University of Hartford) - abroad from 01/02/2012 to 04/18/2012 with

CIEE: Barcelona - Business & Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Definitely worthwhile!! Learned not to trust anyone.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Universitat Pompeo Fabra
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Courses were not too difficult, many field trips and easy tests. Teachers were very understanding and did not nearly give the homework like an American university would.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Administratiom was good, easy and nice people.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was in a homestay with an older Spanish woman who only spoke Spanish, which was nice because I was able to practice my Spanish and had a nice cultural experience.

* Food:

The food my senora made was decent Spanish food, I just didn't like all of the sausage, pork and ham. But it was nice to see what the Spanish would eat day-to-day.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We were integrated in the beginning of the semester because we had students at the University where the Spanish students took classes and had classes with us who integrated us in the beginning by showing us some of the local places as well as going out with us at night.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Still haven't got any of the money back they I had to pay out of my own pocket to see a doctor when I was sick.

* Safety:

Besides pickpocketing its pretty safe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

Barcelona is not cheap, unless you have guides that show you how to not spend money like your in NYC.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Program only covered one meal, over 50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Do not buy drinks at a club, only take the amount of money your ok with spending when you go out

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? 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? Intermediate Spanish
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? Have a homestay

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Tours
  • Location
  • Opportunities to travel
* What could be improved?
  • Teachers
  • ESCI
  • Claases with Spanish students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How to be smarter with money and that it will be more important at the end.