Past Review
By Jessa W (Public Relations/Advertising and International Studies, University of South Dakota) for
ISA Study Abroad in Barcelona, Spain
I would study abroad again in a heartbeat. As a result of this experience I have become more independent and have gained more cultural knowledge.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | EUSS |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I had one professor who sort of killed the experience for me. Adjusting to Spanish grading was a bit difficult as well. My Spanish course was excellent but my marketing course wasn't at all, but that was mostly because of the professor. |
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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? |
The host family was an excellent idea and I learned a lot of Spanish and culture by staying there. My host mother was the sweetest lady I have ever met. |
| * Food: |
My host mother made excellent food!! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The excursions were great and Barcelona has a great social and cultural environment. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Just be constantly aware of your stuff because the minute you're not paying attention it could get stolen. Other than that, safety was not an issue at all. |
| 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? |
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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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | ISA is an excellent program to work with and I plan on working with them in the future. Barcelona is a great city for beginning Spanish because they speak a lot of English, if you're going to improve your Spanish, however, I would choose a different city in Spain like Valencia or Bilbao. |
