CIEE Barcelona Past Review
By Katherine G (Political Science and Government., Fordham University) for
CIEE: Barcelona - Liberal Arts
My study abroad experience was extremely positive, especially when it came to improving my Spanish.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The grading system was extremely fair. The work load was less than what is expected in the United States, but it gives you a great opportunity to actually go out and see the city. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
CIEE was always incredibly helpful and availiable. I could not have asked for a better program. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
CIEE provided all kitchen supplies and sheets. The dorm rooms were nice, but the internet connection wasn't great and they have a strict guest policy. |
| * Food: |
The food in Barcelona is great, but extremely expensive. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Barcelona is known for having the best nightlife in Europe. The city also has a lot of festivals and celebrations during the fall semester. CIEE schedules a lot of cultural trips on weekends, and I reccomed going on all of them. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Watch your wallet. At least a quarter of all the students in my program were pick-pocketed at some point. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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 spent all of my money just on transportation and food. If you're on a budget, stay with a host family. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Span 2001 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I took all of my classes in Spanish and CIEE set up inter-cultural nights to introduce American and Spanish students |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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