Barcelona is now my second home! Past Review
By Jillian F (Communication Studies, SUNY - College at Cortland) for
SUNY Oswego: Barcelona - University of Barcelona
My experience was amazing. Not only did my speaking skills improve immensely, but I was able to understand a majority of everything that anyone said. I hope to go back as soon as possible and have since changed Spanish from my minor to a dual major. My host mom is even planning a trip to the US to visit!
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. |
The workload at the University of Barcelona was very light. Homework was almost unheard of and most of the classes are taught lecture style. You really need to keep up with what you're learning in class because the professors, although helpful, expect you to understand what's going on and be prepared for the final. |
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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? |
The neighborhood that I lived in was relatively secure and was a 20 minute walk from the University. I only needed to buy personal toiletries since my host mother provided all of our meals for us. My host mother treated all of up as if we were her "ninas" and I feel extremely welcome there. |
| * Food: |
There are quite a few vegetarian restaurants located throughout the city and a girl that lived with me was a celiac. Our host mother easily acclimated to her needs |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
You must be VERY careful with your money there because pickpocketing is extremely common. Our program advisors could not stress that enough and students in my program were still pickpocketed. |
| 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? |
All of the classes were taught solely in Spanish and the professors spoke very little, if any, English. I lived with a host family so I had to speak the language everyday. Most of the restaurant owners did have some English skills, but very few other people. |
| 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?
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? | Try not to get overwhelmed. The first few days are rough and difficult to get used to but it will all come in time. Try to experience anything and everything you can! |
