Unforgettable June 06, 2022

By Kayla O (Architecture, University of Hartford) - abroad from 01/10/2022 to 04/10/2022 with

CIEE: Barcelona - Global Architecture & Design

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I didn't know anyone prior to going so it made me become even more independent and more aware of what the world was like outside of the US. I learned about different political views and people's opinions about the rest of the world and learned more about myself and my interests. It was definitely worthwhile

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.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	At first I had some issues with my housing but later I was able to get them switched and it all worked out.
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	We were able to go on trips with the program and they introduced us to different events and activities as well as foods to try.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	All I had to do was fill out a form and then the appointment was set up for me. It was somewhat difficult once I got to the doctor's office because they didn't speak a lot of English. I also was not able to get an insurance refund from my appointments.
* Safety:	They prepared us ahead of time for what to expect with pick pocketing, etc. I was always aware of my surroundings so I felt safe overall because I also knew what to expect prior to the info session that they provided.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes I loved the people who worked at CIEE and I felt like they all became my friends. I also love Barcelona and all of the people in the city.

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)	It was pretty easy but since there were so many restaurants and foods to try it was difficult to stick with that budget.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Buying groceries is very cheap! If you want to save money you should do this.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans International Students
* 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?	0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	the people the place the art/architecture
* What could be improved?	n/a
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	What exactly the housing would be like and I wished they had told us more than 10 days before going there.

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Catalonia and Spain Through the Arts
Course Department:
Instructor:	Marcel Farinelli
Instruction Language:	english
Comments:	It was a bit challenging but in a good way. I loved the field trips that we went on and he made the class very fun and interesting. He is a historian and was able to tie artwork to historical events in an entertaining way.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No