The Perfect Study Abroad Experience Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My IES courses were significantly less rigorous than college courses I've taken in the past. This is probably because abroad professors recognize that students are occupied with many other types of experiences abroad. I did feel at times, however, that the courses could have been made more legitimate and meaningful.

On-site administration of your program

Though I was nervous to leave my family and friends, I felt completely prepared for my travels thanks to IES’s detailed pre-departure information. Before, during, and after the program, IES was there for students every step of the way. The staff was attentive and genuinely cared about their students’ safety, health and happiness.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

IES staff put a great amount of effort into making sure students were in the best housing. I was assigned a homestay in Horta, a neighborhood relatively far from the city center. It didn’t bother me that Horta was far away from the IES center because my homestay was absolutely perfect. My host mom immediately made me feel at home. Our house was beautiful, spacious and clean. She not only taught me to speak Spanish, but also many countless things about culture, food, kindness, family, and life. She was the happiest, most kind hearted person I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Traditional Spanish food is my new favorite cuisine. Both in my homestay and in the city, I was beyond satisfied with the food I ate in Barcelona. Plus, its a city, so anything you're craving, you can find.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

If you're not completely fluent in Spanish, the language barrier can be a little taunting at first. It took me a few weeks to feel comfortable interacting with locals and embrace the Spanish way of life, but when I finally did, I fell in love with the culture.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have much experience with using the healthcare abroad, but I know that when other students had an issue, the IES staff would refer them to a local provider. There are also pharmacies on every block in Barcelona.

I was worried about living in a city, especially considering how prevalent pick-pocketing is in Barcelona. It turned out that within a few weeks I had a thorough understanding of the layout of the city, public transportation, how to protect your belongings, and, most importantly, how to keep yourself safe.

Before studying abroad, I could never have predicted that I would come to call another country home. The 3 and a half months I spent in Barcelona were the greatest of my life, and I wouldn’t trade the experience I had there for anything.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

If you want to travel on the weekends, it will not be very easy to stick to a student budget. The costs of airfare, accommodations, food, attractions and transportation add up every quickly.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

IES faculty encouraged students to speak Spanish whenever possible, but since Spanish wasn't a program requirement, they couldn't give instructions in the language.

Select all that apply

• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Americans
• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Americans

• My homestay
• The city of Barcelona
• The friends I met

• Academics
• Longer program length
• Language classes

The Academic or Linguist