Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Barcelona is the greatest city in the world! Past Review

By (Economics And Finance, Bentley University) - abroad from 10/01/2012 to 12/13/2012 with

ESADE Business School: Sant Cugat del Valles - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about cultures, arts and architecture. This was something I never imagined coming from a all business school and studying at an all business school in barcelona.

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.

ESADE has a very good reputation around Spain and Europe. Their academic rigor is very high and in terms of grading they are very strict. However, they provide their students all the necessary tools they need in order to do well in class and learn as much as possible. The work load wasn't that bad.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Overall, I was able to get all the classes I needed. However, the administration wasn't as efficient as what I am used to in the United States. Sometimes the administration employees are on campus, other days they are not.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in the city center of Barcelona and i was very happy.

* Food:

Food on campus was excellent and very feasible money wise.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt very integrated with the local culture. However, having spanish as my main language helped me communicate better.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was sick once towards the end of the semester. I had a health care program that was provided by my university that worked perfectly. When I started feeling sick, I just called them and they set up my appointment at the hospital. Everything free of charge.

* Safety:

I was aware of any safety problem when I arrived to barcelona. To future students, be careful with pick pocketers... they are everywhere.

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)

Barcelona is a very expensive city. In addition, the currency exchange from dollar to euro made it even more expensive.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy Groceries. Take the metro.

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

There were so many classes in english that I feel students were not encouraged to learn the language.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Try to befriend locals.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

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

  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Professors
  • School
  • Classes
* What could be improved?
  • More variety of classes
  • Effiency
  • Costs
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I think I was pretty informed about what to do and what not to do.

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.