Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best Semester Past Review

By (Business, HSSP, Economics, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/02/2013 to 04/19/2013 with

CIEE: Barcelona - Business & Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Studying abroad is a real eye-opener. Learning to live by yourself in a country where English is not spoken a lot forces you to develop your Spanish speaking skills. On top of this, learning about the Spanish culture and being a worldly individual makes you more perceptive to learning about new cultures when you travel to other countries for weekend trips. It is totally worthwhile and an experience you really probably won't be able to have again as a student.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Not really challenging

* 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:

Watch out for pickpockets!

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? 150 Euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Euro coins add up, just because they're coins and seem like "cents" to us they're not, so watch 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? Beginner
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? Conversational 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? Always try to speak Spanish when you can

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Friendly staff
* What could be improved?
  • More exposure to other programs
  • Housing in apartments (not residencias)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It is EXPENSIVE. Also - pack light, you will probably double your weight in clothes because you'll want to go shopping and dress more like the local folk.

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.