Barcelona gave me an experience of a life time and a new mindset on life :) Past Review
By Rachel L (PSYCHOLOGY., University of Mary Washington) - abroad from 08/30/2012 to 12/14/2012 with
ISA Study Abroad in Barcelona, Spain
Going to Barcelona was the best decision I have ever made in my life. I gained a sense of independence that I had never felt before and a passion to explore the world. I would go again in a heart beat.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes weren't as challenging as I thought they would be, but most of my classes were interesting and I felt as though I gained something from each one. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on-site staff were all very friendly and personable to people my age. I think the ISA office is a little disorganized with planning sometimes, but overall they did a great job. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The Melon District is a residencia I lived in. Although the facilities and the rooms were nice, the rules were way too strict for college students and adults. |
| * Food: |
The food in Spain is different than what I expected it to be, but I managed to find good places to eat and made lots of lunches and dinners in the kitchen. As far as ISA, they do not provide any meals. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It is very difficult to be connected with the culture unless you make an effort and try. You are thrown into a different country with Americans, so people tend to stick together. If you want to feel integrated with the culture you have to make the effort to do so. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I fell into a sewer, cut my knee open, and had to get stitches while I was abroad. ISA had insurance for us and it was pretty easy to get to the hospital in a cab, but ISA itself did not help me out much during this process. When I got to the clinic, there was a translator who helped me out a lot. |
| * Safety: |
Spain is a lot safer than people assume it's going to be. Pick-pocketing is very bad, but it is very rare that someone will be violent if you get pick-pocketed. Other than that there isn't a lot of crime. |
| 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) |
It was very difficult to budget while in Spain, especially the first month. You get better at it as time goes by, but living abroad is expensive, especially in Europe. I probably spent $225/week, not including traveling. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $225/week for food/going out/other. When traveling during the weekends-add another $225 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make your own food. Groceries are very cheap compared to the US. After I got better about budgeting, I would spend $40 on groceries that would last me 10+ days. Make a list of restaurants you want to try while you are abroad and plan to eat out twice/three times a week. You will save lots of money. Pre-game before you go out to a club, drinks at clubs are very expensive. Take the metro over a taxi, or walk! |
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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 105 |
| 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? | Have dinner nights with your friends and only speak Spanish. Get an intercambio to speak Spanish with! |
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? | How expensive living in Spain is |
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. |
