Spectacular Time Abroad! Past Review
By A student (Spanish, Political Science, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/02/2012 to 04/19/2012 with
CIEE: Barcelona - Liberal Arts
Absolutely! It was the best experience of my life to date. I gained independence, confidence in myself and my ability to speak another language, cross cultural boundaries, and the opportunity to travel!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The CIEE Barcelona Liberal Arts staff are wonderful! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had the loveliest home-stay family. We still keep in touch! |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was hospitalized for a week while I was in Barcelona. My program was wonderful in staying with me until my family was able to arrive. Additionally, they helped enormously with the billing process and bridging the language barrier as well as communicating with the host institution. |
| * Safety: |
As a female, you must walk and behave with your wits about you. |
| 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) |
Food was provided for two meals, which was helpful, but living in a country on the Euro made things more expensive. |
| * 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? | Approximately 35 euro a week. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | 335 Seminar in Spanish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Completely emerse yourself! We all took a pledge to only speak Spanish while abroad, sticking to that pledge made an enormous difference. Living with a homestay family did as well. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Some more of the cultural aspects of the country I was about to visit. A list of must-brings, or things and brands you cannot get in the country you're going to study in. |
