AIFS Abroad in Barcelona, Spain (UPF): Semester

To preface, I did not attend UPF, but I did attend UAB during the Spring semester. I decided to go with AIFS because of how well their program was organized and the level of support they offer to students. During my time studying abroad in Barcelona, the staff were incredibly supportive and always available to help with anything we needed. The program did a great job of fully immersing us in the local culture, which made the experience even more meaningful. I chose to stay in an apartment, and it exceeded my expectations. It was not only comfortable but also conveniently located near my school and lots of places to explore around the city. Through this program, I was able to connect with people I never would have met otherwise, and I’m genuinely grateful for everything AIFS made possible. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone looking for a more personal and inclusive study abroad experience.

My study abroad experience in Barcelona was nothing short of magical. It was an adventure that not only enriched my academic pursuits but also left me with unforgettable memories, lifelong friendships, and a profound appreciation for Spanish culture. Academic Experience: Studying in Barcelona opened doors to a world of academic excellence. The city boasts renowned universities, and I had the privilege of attending Universitat Pompeu Fabra. The diverse range of courses offered, coupled with passionate professors, made every day in the classroom a joy. The international perspective I gained from interacting with students from around the globe was invaluable. Cultural Immersion: Barcelona is a city that effortlessly blends history, art, and modernity. Exploring the iconic Sagrada Familia, strolling down the vibrant streets of Las Ramblas, and marveling at the architectural wonders of Antoni Gaudí were among the highlights. The city's rich history and artistic heritage became an integral part of my daily life. Language and Communication: One of the most rewarding aspects of my stay was the opportunity to immerse myself in the Spanish language. While English was often spoken, I made a conscious effort to communicate in Spanish whenever possible. This not only improved my language skills but also allowed me to connect with the locals on a deeper level. Friendships and Cultural Exchange: Studying abroad provides a unique chance to build friendships that transcend borders. I met people from diverse backgrounds, and together, we shared our cultures, traditions, and dreams. These bonds will remain with me forever, and I'm grateful for the friendships that blossomed during my time in Barcelona. Travel Opportunities: Barcelona's strategic location within Europe made it an ideal starting point for exploring the continent. Weekend trips to nearby cities, such as Madrid, Paris, and Rome, were easily accessible and added an extra layer of excitement to my study abroad experience. Conclusion: My study abroad journey in Barcelona was a transformative experience that enriched my academic and personal growth. The city's vibrant culture, incredible history, and warm people left an indelible mark on my heart. I'm grateful for this life-changing adventure, and I would encourage anyone considering studying abroad to seize the opportunity, especially through AIFS. Barcelona will forever hold a special place in my heart, and I'm confident that it can do the same for others. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to AIFS for making this incredible experience possible. Winning the $500 would be a wonderful bonus, but the real prize is the memories and personal growth that Barcelona has gifted me.

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I felt the experience was fantastic but AIFS did not really have to do much for it to be amazing, in fact I would argue it hindered it to some degree. The title is "Study Abroad Experience" but I feel AIFS attempts to limit the last two words of that title. I realize AIFS does not want kids who only come here to party and skip classes but that in turn hinders the experience when all that you can do here is go to school and not "experience" all that Barcelona has to offer.

I had an amazing experience. So much so that I want to live here permanently.This has become my new home and I feel like it would be wrong to leave right when I am getting used to everything. every day was an adventure, and I enjoyed every single second of it. The only thing is when you are having fun is time goes by fast, and I was having lots of that. Countless Unforgettable experiences that have given me stories that I will tell till I an unable to speak. If I am every granted a chance to study abroad again I will without hesitation.

I am so thankful to be abroad, but equally thankful to have had such a great study abroad program. AIFS really knows what they're doing. The day trips, weekend excursions, and cultural experiences are all well thought out and coordinated by the staff. They are the kindest people and are available at all times. They have made the process stress free, and do so while making it look easy! I am so glad that they did all the hard work so that I could have an easy and enjoyable time here in Barcelona.

This was an amazing experience that I will never forget. There are so many wonderful things that I have gotten to experience that I will remember forever. Studying abroad has always been a goal of mine and AIFS helped that dream become a reality. They helped me to prepare and get ready to live in a foreign country, they helped me with traveling issues and they were always ready to lend a helping hand while I was here. Specifically, during this semester, there was unrest when the verdict about the Catalan political prisoners came out and AIFS kept us safe and informed. AIFS prepared us when we got here by preparing cultural events for us so that we could start to assimilate into the culture. They also pushed us to grow and experience things here for ourselves. I have really grown as a person and as a student while being here. I have tried many new foods and have experienced being a apart of many new cultures. The world is wide and I intend to keep discovering more of it.

AIFS has been super helpful with everything from taking me to the dentist to helping me figuring out classes to the weekend trips. This is by far the best program I've heard of and Barcelona is a great city with some really great food and modern culture.

This program was great and helped students to feel comfortable living in Barcelona while challenging them to be immersed in the culture. I feel that living and studying in Barcelona changed me so much and I wish I could stay for longer. The only recommendation would be to make sure that the UPF program is a whole semester and not a trimester.

I really enjoyed my experience abroad! I knew that I wanted to study abroad with AIFS as soon as I began exploring my options, and Barcelona was the perfect fit to help me meet my goals. I appreciated the attentiveness and compassion that the staff showed, and I felt that students in this program were much more prepared than students in other programs.

My study abroad experience was amazing. It was everything I was expecting and more. I never really had a hard time adjusting and made a lot of new friends. I will remember this experience forever. Traveling with new people was crazy at times and you sometimes didn't know what to expect but it thought me to have a lot of patience and to go with the flow. I really got amazing friends out of this. Barcelona was by far the best place to study abroad while traveling to other places i really enjoyed barca the most.

Leaving home and my family for the first time was scary, but once i arrived in Barcelona I quickly found a home away from home. I met amazing friends and was immersed in a beautiful culture. I would recommend studying abroad to every college student. I am extremely fortunate to have had this experience and lucky i was able to call Barcelona my home.

AIFS helped me have the best 3 months while studying abroad. This program helped me be successful in my academics, social life, and provided great housing accommodations. AIFS also made me feel super safe and had great resources when it came to traveling and insurance. I don't want to ever leave!

Barcelona is a beautiful city that I had the privilege to study in for a semester. the program and the people helping to run it were great people to be acquainted with. The living conditions were clean and all the appliances were new and undamaged. The WIFI was easy to use but the signal could've been stronger. My classes were not easy but it was nice to be challenged and I ended up learning a lot.

if i could do this over again i would in a heart beat. i loved studying in Barcelona and i loved being here with AIFS. i got to see so much of Barcelona and all over Europe. i don't know if i would have ever been able to do something like this if it was not for AIFS in Barcelona. i would recommend AIFS to anyone looking to studying abroad. i feel that i have learned so much and grown a lot from just 3 months abroad. this has been a semester of a life time.

I honestly don't think a paragraph is enough time to describe my 3 months in Barcelona but if I just had to sum it up in one word, it would be: metaphoric. I originally was so scared to study abroad for a whole semester but by the time the end of my program date came, I didn't want to leave. From the culture, food and lovely people I met, Barcelona was a dream and I loved every second of my time there. Going with AIFS was definitely a bonus because of the amazing staff support and cultural excursions I experienced with them. Imna, the Head Director in Barcelona was like a second mother to me while I was away and the rest of the staff was just as great. I found my classes at UPF were very interesting and can confidently say that the best way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in a culture were it's primarily spoken. I always struggled with speaking Spanish in my classes in America because I was so concerned with saying a word incorrectly. However, being in Barcelona and speaking the language with locals gave me the practice and confidence I needed to drastically improve my Spanish speaking abilities! If you take anything away from this review, it's go to Barcelona (or anywhere in Spain really) and you'll have the time of your life!

I was able to learn and improve my Spanish a lot through immersion and classes in UPF. The program was just as expected. AIFS, my classes and professors were all great. Overall great experience, would recommend to my friends.

When i first thought about studying abroad I thought i was going to be emerged with students from Barcelona, but my classes are made up of Americans and international students. It makes if quite harder to meet locals but I had a great experience with the people i did meet. My roommates were great and had the opportunity to travel.

I had a wonderful time this semester in Barcelona! I have learned so much during this semester and made greatly improved my Spanish speaking. I lived in a homestay and I highly recommend this option. If I could study abroad again I would stay longer because I have enjoyed it so much.

Great experience! It was very very nice to be in Barcelona and be so close to the rest of Europe. Aside from classes, this has been the best experience of my life. The UPF schools, however, were not the best experience and were extremely difficult, more so than my home school.

Many things this trip did not go as planned. I had to remain flexible and deal with things as they came. Breaking a heel really put a damper on the last month and adjusting to a school in a different language was different. Overall i grew lots as a person and am thankful for all the friends and connections I made in such a short time.