Pretty Frickin Cool Past Review

By (University of Hartford) - abroad from 09/02/2018 to 12/19/2018 with

SSA Education Abroad: Barcelona - Semester, Year or Summer in Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned the importance of Spanish culture, language, and more importantly the art of Barcelona and Europe.

Review Photos

Spanish Studies Abroad: Barcelona - Semester, Year or Summer in Spain Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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? No

While the program really did nothing wrong, I just didn't like the fact that it's very small (there was only five of us). It made it somewhat more challenging to make friends. Barcelona is great though.

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? around $125
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? budget and pre plan extra travel

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? Advanced
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? none
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? befriend locals; watch shows/movies, listen to music, read books/magazines in that language

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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 people
  • the activities
* What could be improved?
  • communication
  • attitudes
  • number of students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? that it was small