Barcelona is amazing! Past Review
By A student (Santa Clara University) - abroad from 09/01/2019 to 12/14/2019 with
IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad
Learned about yourself, improved Spanish skills, learned how to travel, etc.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Was able to really get immersed in the local culture and connect that to reasons why we were studying abroad. The classes were not too difficult, but allowed students flexibility to have balance in their experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a homestay with two other program students and a local woman. She was very open, flexible, nice and encouraging. We spoke Spanish with her all the time. |
| * Food: |
There are many places to eat! get outside your comfort zone and try as many of the local dishes and cuisines as possible. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Was really able to improve my Spanish skills. Do not be afraid to just speak despite inevitable mistakes! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No personal experience with it, but heard the staff on the program was very helpful in helping students obtain hospital services if needed and medicine for when sick. |
| * Safety: |
The city is pretty safe, you just need to be aware of your items and surroundings! The program was very adamant about letting us know how we could avoid being in dangerous situations. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
It was a great program to be able to do a variety of things. |
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) |
Depending on how you manage your money, it is easy to overspend. Things are not extremely expensive, but the exchange rate does add up so keep that in mind. On average without planning trips for the weekend, you would probably spend around 50-100 euros per week with lunch and dinner and shopping. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about 60euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Work during the summer before going abroad and save it! Think about your purchases before you buy it! Do not plan last minute trips! You don't need to go on a trip with other students to another destination if you do not really want to see that location. |
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? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| How many hours per day did you use the 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?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | n/a |
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.' |
