Past Review
By Cameron B (International Relations/Spanish, Austin College) for
ISA Study Abroad in Barcelona, Spain
The improval of my spanish and being self sufficient were my two biggest gains from this program. Personally, I think studying abroad anywhere will give you this experience if the country does not speak your native language. My only caution would be to students going to Spain: the grading system is much harder here in some instances so make sure you challenge yourself, but not too much
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Autonomous University of Barcelona |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Overall my classes were good. My only real problem I came across was in my intensive language class. The grading in the class was particularly harsh and can definately mess up your GPA if it's good enough. I was told by the school administration that I had recieved an A- in the class but then when I got my transcript it showed a B-. Both UAB and ISA were rude and unresponsive when I asked for help to resolve the issue. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program administration in Barcelona were awesome and very accessable. But I have found ISA's home office in Austin to be unresponsive once you come back and have any unresolved issues. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Speaking with my host family really made me practice a higher level of spanish. I definately would live with one again if I returned to study. |
| * Food: |
I could tell my host family was only boarding people for the money. The man of the house would talk to us and took us to go play foosball once. But we ate the same basic 5 meals the entire time we were there. He would sometimes cook really nice lunches for himself and family but we would just have sandwiches. But I think study abroad students have to expect this. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I made spanish friends and even joined a club swim team when I was in Barcelona, so I think my cultural experience was very high. ISA did not arrange any amazing trips for us or anything. All but one was just a few hours or a day trip. Other programs took their students to Rome or southern spain. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The Barcelona ISA office did a good job of getting my friend to the hospital, who got sick all of the sudden one weekend. In Barcelona especially, we had to watch out to not get pick pocketed on the subway and be cautious at night. |
| 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? |
My suggestion to really get emersed is to make friends native to your host country. Do not take part in only the activities provided by the study abroad company but try to make your own. |
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? | I think anyone studying spanish would benefit from this program, as long as they were with a host family and stayed away from other American students. There are lots of friendly people in Barcelona, so make friends! |
