A glorious whirlwind Past Review
By Addie L (English Language and Literature, Wofford College) - abroad from 01/05/2015 to 04/24/2015 with
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
I learned confidence, boldness, how to say yes to everything and how to say no with assurance. I learned to fail gracefully and to take on my biggest fears and stresses. I learned the value of telling stories and being open and vulnerable in an unfamiliar place.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I enjoyed my classes for the most part. There were a few communication problems in some of my literature courses, but nothing that affected me in a truly negative way. I loved my photography course, and the Spanish classes were my absolute favorite! I learned a lot about Catalan culture and history through these classes. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I chose a homestay - a challenging but rewarding experience - and I would recommend it to anyone who likes to push themselves and who's flexible with living arrangements. |
| * Food: |
Barcelona has a lot to offer for dining, as it's very international. My homestay meals were also top-notch, and my host mom was flexible in cooking what we wanted. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Because the city is so international, it can be easy to get lost in a sea of foreigners, but staying in a homestay and connecting with my RA helped me get more immersed in the culture. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any healthcare issues, but most pharmacies were pretty helpful toward foreigners. |
| * Safety: |
The biggest problem in Barcelona is theft. I was never pick-pocketed, but many people in my program were. The best advice I can think of is to never let your guard down, use a keyring on your zippers to keep someone from unzipping your bags, and hold onto everything that you don't want to lose. |
| 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) |
Staying in a homestay really cut down on my food expenses. Average meal costs are around 10 euros, but it really depends on where you eat. I was able to live off of 4 euros a day when I set my mind to it. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 40-80 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget, budget, budget! The best way to save money is to be aware of your spending and cut down on superfluous costs. Overestimate your costs so that you have some flexibility with spending. Don't be intimidated to use coupons or other deals that you find, and invest in groceries so that you don't have to eat out every night. Take advantage of student discounts - most museums and cultural centers have them. |
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? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| 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? | Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Speak boldly, and people will be more receptive to your attempts to talk to them. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | You should be prepared to figure things out on your own, but that isn't a bad thing. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
