Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Awesome Past Review

By (Economics/Finance, Bentley University) - abroad from 01/07/2013 to 04/12/2013 with

Universidad de Pompeu Fabra (UPF): Barcelona - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was awesome. I am so much more independent and resourceful. I am an expert traveler. I love learning about people and hearing their stories and i got to do a bunch of that. It was great and i loved it.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I am giving this four stars because two of my four courses were difficult and i actually had to do a good amount of work in. As far as resources, they were awful. You could hardly get in touch with your professor over e-mail.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Program? It isn't even a program. I think we were the only students who weren't in a program. All i can say is i appreciate Bentley so much more and love them for all they do for us.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Our house was awesome in a great location. But this is due to our own research and hard work, had nothing to do with the "program"

* Food:

Good food amigo. Tapas, muy bien.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

didnt have any issues

* Safety:

extremelly safe city. Everyone is always tryin to warn about pickpockets but no one ever tried to pick pocket me, just dont be dumb and walk around drunk and obnoxious.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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? 50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy food from the market and cook a lot. It gets old but its worth 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

Since it was an actual spanish university, we were definetly encouraged to use it a lot.

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? Spanish 2
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? Don't be shy about it.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

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
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?
  • our apartment and its location
  • The use of spanish
  • integration into spanish culture
* What could be improved?
  • organization
  • helpfulness
  • structure
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish i knew that you were literally on your own. No activities, no class help, no friends, nothing. If i didnt go with three of my best friends this would of been tough. Most of the bentley kids that went ended up only hanging out with other bentley kids. I know that API you automatically had a peer group of about 70 students and everyone was close. Woulda done API if i could do it again.

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.