Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Adventure I Will Never Forget Past Review

By (Sociology and Business/Econ, Wofford College) - abroad from 09/01/2014 to 12/18/2014 with

IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that most young people in the United States are very unaware of the world around us and the international and intranational events taking place. I think that I have become much more invested in understanding events outside of the bubble I have created for myself. I definitely believe that it was worthwhile.

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.

* 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:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $75
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buying the 3 month public transportation right away saves you a lot of money in the long run. Also, understanding night transportation or planning on getting to a final location before the metro shut down was very helpful. If you ask around you can find many places to eat that are affordable you just have to work on it.

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? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 201
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? The best way is to become friends with people your age. There are different events run by the program that will give you that chance, Also, living in a homestay I was able to speak to my homestay parents in Spanish every day.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • the professors
  • Barcelona
  • the program as a whole
* What could be improved?
  • how spaced out classes were
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that I knew that many if not most of the people in Barcelona spoke Catalan.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!