An Unforgettable Experience

I would highly recommend SAI for anyone considering studying abroad in Barcelona. What makes SAI stand out compared to other study abroad providers is the small size of the program which facilitates getting to know the other students better and the coordinator in Barcelona who is extremely helpful, supportive, organized, and knowledgeable about the city, and she was always available to give suggestions, answer questions, or address any issues. Additionally, my interactions with SAI staff during enrollment and the process of receiving my transcript went very smoothly. The lower cost of the 4-week language course (there are also 6-week courses available, and subjects other than language such as business) relative to offerings from other study abroad programs I looked at but still providing everything I desired was a bonus as well and the location of student housing a block away from the Sagrada Familia is unbeatable. However, the unit did get fairly warm (it was the summer, after all) so fans and open windows were a necessity at times. Any maintenance that came up was dealt with in a timely manner. We had a good amount of excursions including a cooking class, visits to a primary school and the coastal town of Sitges, and tours of a cathedral in the Gothic Quarter and a historic hospital complex, but the program also allowed for much flexibility and independence in being able to go out and explore on our own and immerse ourselves in the culture, traditions, and lifestyle, and there was ample opportunity to meet people from other programs. Although I only took a 4-week course, I learned lots of Spanish, especially vocabulary, and my professors were excellent instructors who were understanding and accommodating and integrated elements of Spanish culture into the lessons. I received more individualized attention since the class was small, and obtained quite a bit of practice with listening and speaking. It struck a fair balance in that the class provided enough of a challenge (5 hours a day for 5 days a week) but was not overwhelming with homework, so I had the opportunity to go out everyday. Furthermore, for my 4-week program, the classrooms were located in a historic building that is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overall this unique combination of factors made my study abroad experience an enjoyable and life-changing one and SAI was a great choice for me - my only complaint is that I wasn’t able to stay longer!