Barcelona: City of Endless Possibilities Past Review
By Shannon B (Spanish, Kean University) for
ISA Study Abroad in Barcelona, Spain
I gained a better understand of Spanish language and culture. I made some really great friends who I keep in contact with to this day. Studying in Barcelona only enhanced my passion for Spanish language and culture. I graduated with my BA in Spanish.
Personal Information
| 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. |
My workload was no more difficult than the work I had at my University in the states. The grading system seemed easier to me. I had some really great professors and some not so great (he seemed to seriously dislike American students). |
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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? |
I had the best housing experience living with a host. She was just an older, single woman and it was the best experience I could have asked for. She went above and beyond making sure that I always had something to eat, my clothes were clean and that I was learning more Spanish everyday. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Barcelona was one of the best cities I have ever been to. It has great culture and nightlife. The program arranged a weekend trip to Valle de boi in the Pyrenees and it was fantastic. It was great to see how close mountains are to the city. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt really safe there. I felt more safe there than some of the American cities I visit on a daily/monthly basis (Philadelphia/New York). |
| 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 |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
The woman that I lived with. She didn't speak any English so I spoke Spanish to her every day. However, most of the students in my program were Americans so I also spoke a lot of English. My Spanish teacher encouraged and enforced Spanish only in her class, which was very helpful. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | As much Spanish as I learned in Barcelona, I wouldn't recommend studying there for someone who wants to greatly improve his/her Spanish. There are a lot of people there that speak English so it's easy to forget that you should be working on your Spanish. I would recommend somewhere smaller, where English is spoken less and Spanish is more prevalent. However, Barcelona is still one of the most beautiful, friendly and enchanting cities I have ever been to. It has everything. Great restaurants, beaches, bars and people. I loved it and can't wait to go back. |
