Barcelona: Work Hard Play Hard Past Review
By Brent M (Accountancy, Providence College) for
CIEE: Barcelona - Business & Culture
I gained worldly insight on a variety of issues. Also, I now understand how different cultures operate, yet have maintained the same academic and career goals.
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. |
The grading system is a bit skewed, despite the professors attempting to use the U.S. system. Workload seemed appropriate, but the class attendance policy was very strict. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Program was very well organized yet overly strict on attendance. Also, class schedules were not positive for students looking to travel on the weekends or explore the night life. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing was arranged for us. If there was not enough room in the dorms, you were given a host family regardless of preference. |
| * Food: |
Accommodation available. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Traveling Spain, europe, and exploring Barcelona. Take time to see the museums and historical pieces of each country. Also, submerge in the culture. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
it is a safe country, but you must be aware of pickpockets. No health issues that noticed. |
| 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) |
|
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Watch your expenses at the beginning, and plan trips out early. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Practiced in class and used the language everyday with my host family and locals. English was spoken by most if it was needed. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Prepare yourself for the culture that you are entering. A student that will do will is one that is dedicated to their studies but willing to have fun. |
