Barcelona: One Huge Party Past Review

By (English, SUNY - College at Geneseo) for

SUNY Oswego: Barcelona - University of Barcelona

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I wouldn't take it back for everything, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

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.

The workload was way less in Spain than it was in the US, and the grading system was much simpler. Classes started much later than they said they started, and most students skipped class really frequently. It was common to not go to classes at all, and to just go to the final at the end of the semester.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I wouldn't live in a dorm again. If I could choose again, I would want to rent my own apartment in the city.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Fine.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Everyday was amazing.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

TThe city seemed safe, but there was always a lot of fear of being robbed. No very major crimes, but almost every American I knew got robbed.

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

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
Language acquisition improvement?

Spanish and American girls I lived with. Yes, I needed to use the language everyday. Most people did not speak English.

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Spend all the money you can! do everything you can, and don't travel out of ht country too much.