Fall 2018 Semester in Barcelona

This program really stands out due to the level of support (academically and socially) that the program coordinators provide. I was very nervous when I arrived, but with all of the reassurance, academic support, and Spanish practice I got from being in the CIEE ALA Program, I quickly adapted. The classes I took through CIEE were focused on improving our Spanish speaking skills and connecting us to the rich cultural history of the city. On the other hand, the classes I took at UB pushed me to engage in Spanish in a much more academic and formal manner, which I had never done before. I grew exponentially as an academic writer in Spanish, which is an important skill moving forward with my Spanish education, but also generally in my speaking ability, which was an amazing improvement for me. All of the teachers, program coordinators, and CIEE staff were so supportive in making this the best possible experience for all the participants, and I look back on my semester abroad so fondly and so thankful.