Go home, to Barcelona. Past Review
By Ben P (Finance, Financial Services, Washington State University) - abroad from 01/07/2015 to 04/24/2015 with
SAI Study Abroad: Barcelona - Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB)
Couldn't imagine my life without this incredible experience. I learned so much about another culture, as well as myself. I got to see and do things I had been dreaming about for years. I will certainly be back to Barcelona many times in the future.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
SAI made it possible to experience another country as a local. What an incredible opportunity it was to study abroad with SAI, the program allowed for doing your own thing while helping you dive into the culture. Couldn't be more thankful to Mireia, the program coordinator, for everything she did over the course of my stay in BCN. I highly recommend this program. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
SAI worked with UAB perfectly to get us in the classes we needed and help mediate any issue that might've arouse. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
SAI was able to arrange an apartment right on Passeig de Gracia which put me and my friends in the heart of the city. Couldn't have had it this way anywhere else. |
| * Food: |
Food can get expensive but using something like yelp to find the hidden gems is key. Barcelona is a gastronomical hub. SAI provided us with an incredible cooking class, teaching us Catalan specialties which was by far, one of the highlights of the trip. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Barcelona has an incredible night almost everyday of the week. Don't get caught up in going to the clubs all the time as there are a ton of really fun bars to find that most study abroad students wouldn't think to go to. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Easy to go to the pharmacy and get prescriptions if needed. SAI was very willing and able to help if need be. |
| * Safety: |
Like any big city you have to be careful but the only big worry was for pick pockets, nothing major. Don't flaunt your cash or belongings and you'll be fine. I felt the safest in Barcelona over any other city I went to in Europe. |
| 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) |
The most expensive thing while abroad is going out, limit the amount of times you go weekly and you'll be able to spend it on other things that will be an incredible experience. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Too much, but it was worth every cent. |
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 |
Coming in with Spanish proficiency made things much easier. Mireia and I would speak spanish together and she would help me with grammatical things. SAI also hook us up with an exchange with locals that was really cool. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 300 level |
| 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? | Use Duolingo.com it is amazing. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | I wish I would've planned trips prior to departure in order to see and do more, but in all honesty getting to spend more time in Barcelona was such a blessing. It is such an amazing city. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
