A Barcelona Summer! April 03, 2023

By (Public Relations, Advertising, Applied Communication, University of Tampa) - abroad from 06/29/2022 to 07/31/2022 with

SAI Study Abroad: Barcelona - Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lifetime amount of experience. I have never been to Europe before this so it was brand new for me. I gained so much independence and life skills going there alone. It was very worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

The program made the transition to Europe for the first time seamless and welcoming. The on site staff made my experience amazing and comfortable there and even stayed in touch after.

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try not to eat out every night and shop at local store to prepare meals. Get an understanding the first week of how much you spent and then either stick to that or figure out ways to cut out things to lower it.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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? College level Beginner Spanish Courses
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? Take note of the lingo locals use. It can be different from what you learned. And then start to integrate it slowly. Start at the coffee shop or grocery store and work your way up the more comfortable you get.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The SAI Staff
  • The Apartment
  • The activities provided by program
* What could be improved?
  • Apartment roommate numbers
  • Food through program
  • More activities not during class times
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew my roommates more before going. It made my experience super scary going into it not knowing much about who I was living with. I wish I reached out more to them prior.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.