Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Come for the language, realize no one else did, stay for the tapas Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/03/2019 to 04/14/2019 with

CIEE: Barcelona - Liberal Arts

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about Spanish and Catalan culture, and about the political struggles of Catalonia. I was able to fully immerse myself in the student life of Barcelona. Definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Fantastic professors, coursework was relevant. Not very rigorous but that is because the students have irreparably lowered the professors' expectations

* 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:

Very safe but pickpocketing is very common

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? Stay with a host family

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? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? If language is a priority for you, the best thing to do is stay with a host family and make local friends (through language exchanges and in your classes if possible)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • Great professors
  • Great coordinators
  • Classes that contribute to experience of the city
* What could be improved?
  • Encourage students to leave their comfort zone (though that is not really the responsibility of CIEE)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Learning the language is a secondary or even tertiary preoccupation for most students at CIEE Barcelona, especially in the programs that offer classes in English (not Liberal Arts or Advanced Liberal Arts). Had I realized this, I would have made a point to get to know Spanish locals much sooner to compensate.