Realized how small the world is and how similar people are. Past Review
By Ariella F (Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services., SUNY - College at Oswego) for
University of Barcelona: Barcelona - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I gained an appreciation for food, for culture, for countries, for living in the moment.
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Some teachers were quite boring. However, I really enjoyed how they were very understanding of our needs as abroad students, and spoke of local culture that we also learned about in class. |
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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? |
I personally had a Spanish speaking roommate, but other Americans also lived in our residence. HOUSING LOCATION WAS EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT, NEEDED TO BE CLOSER, IN WALKING DISTANCE OF CAMPUS. |
| * Food: |
needed to understand my dietary restrictions and not ask questions each time. |
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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: |
Safe but be aware of pick-pocketers!!!! So common! |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 80 Euros a week. Too much. On food and maintenance things, such as shampoo and snacks. Not including traveling. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring lots and lots of money because you are going to want to enjoy life there and the culture and want to travel!! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 251 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I wish I had more of an interaction with Spanish native people, however I do not feel that I was given that outlet, besides at my residence hall, which I was rarely at. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | A student that likes to have fun, go out at night, learn Spanish, broaden their horizons, not afraid of a little risk, not terribly worried about money. |
