Spain: Saw Some Cool Things Past Review

By (Pre-med, Harvard University) for

IES Abroad: Barcelona - Study Abroad with IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes. I saw amazing things and things I'd never seen before. It was beautiful and very fun.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It was really good. There was a little more work than I expected but the quality of the classes were overall very good. The professors were very capable and had a good plan and excellent teaching abilities and I really learned a lot.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

It was overall very good.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

It was fine. The only problem was the expenses of it.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The field trip to the Costa Brava was amazing. It was beautiful and fun.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

It was very safe.

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? Way too much. 400-500 dollars
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy food at grocery stores do not go to restaurants each meal because they are expensive.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 30
Language acquisition improvement?

Yes. I needed to speak Spanish every day. The program seriously improved my Spanish.

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

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