Barcelona, its a good time Past Review
By Timothy M (Psychology, University of Iowa) for
ISA Study Abroad in Barcelona, Spain
Ya, study abroad is a great experience, you get to learn about the world and yourself at the same time. I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in it, and even to those who do not. It might be hard sometimes, but you will grow and learn from it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There isn't much of a workload and some the classes can be really boring. Attendance is somewhat mandatory (you can only miss a few classes before penalty). The grading scale is similar to other schools in Spain, have to try pretty hard to get an A (or 10 on the Spanish scale), but B's are not to difficult to come by. One good part about this program is that you actually go to a university and not some makeshift classroom above a Starbucks like other programs. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The ISA staff is second to none, they are very helpful, young, and really care about your experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had the best host mom, she really took take of my roommate and I. Some other home stays were not so good, its a gamble. If you do not want to stay in a home stay I would recommend to do the apartment option, the dorms are not so great and they have strict security. |
| * Food: |
My host mom was a terrific cook, and was very accommodating. Spanish food in general isnt that special, kind of bland. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Barcelona is fun, if you don't like to go out a lot, or hang out with people who like to go out and have fun, maybe not the city for you. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The only thing you really have to worry about is being pick pocketed on the subway, but if your attentive it wont be an issue. Also, if your a girl, there can be some creepy Paki's around the the La Rambla area. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I had a really good Spanish teacher and class, really improved my Spanish and actually enjoyed attending class. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Be intuitive in picking your destination, look a pictures of different places and go where you feel drawn. Also, if you looking at Spain, heavily consider Seville, it is an incredible town, a little more quiet, but if were to do another program it would be Seville. |
