Best college decision I made. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I didn't necessarily feel like the classes were that demanding compared to my courses in the US. They were interesting and informative, but I didn't feel the same pressure as at home. I think this served a purpose in that I was able to focus on my whole experience and not just classes, and it was also due to significant cultural differences in education styles. It was fun and interesting but not terribly demanding.

On-site administration of your program

The administration was supremely helpful and good natured. I had a blast with the asst program director and the director. The excursions were great.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My hose family was amazing. I am still in contact with them. My husband and I have visited with them since the exchange.

I loved the variety and that my host mom was a fantastic cook. Trying everything was excellent, so much sea food, great cheese and wine.. It was a delicious year also.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

This was an area that was difficult for me. I spent a lot of time doing intercambios to get to know people in the city and to practice my spanish, but I never really fell in with a group of people from Barcelona with whom I spent time. I think part of that was living with a host family instead of living with other students. Maybe another part of that was the way the program classes worked in that you're in classes with other Americans unless you make the effort to take a regular course at the university to meet other people--which I also did. I spent the year feeling like I was sort of bouncing around outside of a cultural bubble, but at some point that was just fine and part of my experience. I felt in love with the city and the culture and the experience but I didn't feel like I'd aculturated, really.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I developed a problem with my jaw locking a few months into the program and I was really concerned about it. My spanish wasn't fantastic, so the program director helped me through an appointment with a very proficient doctor and the problem resolved rather quickly. I was also sexually assaulted shortly into my stay, and I was given a lot of opportunities to get counseling and support.Amazingly, it far from ruined my experience studying abroad. It made me reanalyze why I'd come to Spain so I was able to refocus and work on what I was there to do and see rather than what had happened to me.

I felt like it was an amazingly secure city. That said, I always made efforts to mitigate risk, always walking with friends, sticking to areas we knew late at night, not drinking too much. The Barcelonins felt safe and secure, and I think we the students felt much the same.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I didn't spend money EVER before I studied abroad and I got a job tutoring English once a week. I was able to survive quite well on what I'd stockpiled working 60-70 hours a week in the summer before going to Spain. I came home with $200 in my account, hah.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Classes in spanish, intercambios encouraged, lived with native speakers. Opportunities were everywhere.

Select all that apply

• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Americans

• language component--learn a new language!
• location--loved Barcelona
• My host family was a perfect fit.

• Housing options--I could totally see how many people weren't into the host family arrangement. Giving students the options to choose to live with a family or other students would be great.

The Outright Urbanite