Only one line? I need multiple pages, maybe a book!..or two. Past Review
By lindsayxomarie (East Stroudsburg State University of Pennsylvania) - abroad from 09/02/2014 to 12/18/2014 with
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Semester in Barcelona
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned (as well as experienced), so many other cultures. I did not realize prior, how different of lives we live here in the states as opposed to Europeans. I learned more in depth what stereotypes really are and actually saw them in action because I had never been the odd-one-out before. It was definitely 100% worthwhile! This was the best experience of my life and would go back in a heartbeat!
Review Photos
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 on-site administration always had answers to my questions about the city, restaurants, shopping, etc. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My apartment was a run down and dirty, had no heat or air conditioning, but overall good enough for the semester. |
| * Food: |
Spanish and Catalan cuisine might be my favorite in the world! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Being in Barcelona for the fall semester, I got to experience certain holidays and celebrations that were so unique and awesome to experience! Experiencing the local ways was so exciting and interesting. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt totally safe in Barcelona! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I probably spent around or above 80 euros on food per week because I had an apartment and no meal plan. Having a home stay would definitely make spending money on food a lot less. Other expenses each week varied and is hard to put a number to. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budgeting your money is not as hard as you think. When it comes to food, shopping at the grocery store is a lot cheaper than always going out to eat. When traveling and sight-seeing, buy tickets ahead of time online, because it is usually cheaper. Going away on an excursion weekend, try finding flights on EasyJet or RyanAir—I found those to be the cheapest. As for accommodations in other locations, stay in the cheapest hostels you can find because the only time you will be spending there is to sleep and shower. Also remember, souvenir shopping at the end of your time at your study abroad location can feel like you’re draining your bank account. |
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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Go out and meet locals. If you are always with your home-country speaking peers, you will never practice the new language! |
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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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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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? | Not that it changes the way I feel about my experience in Barcelona, but I wish I knew anything about Spain before I got there. I went in blind and thought I'd have an easy time practicing my spanish over there... little to my surprise Barcelona prefers to speak Catalan. It all worked out though and I enjoyed the challenge! |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
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