Universitat de Barcelona (UB)

Although we did have to find our own lodging, the program coordinators did give us a list of potential host families. (Don't know if this is what this question was looking for.)

Hmmmm. Spain is full of neighborhood cafes and bars for all kinds of fun. In Barcelona there are great places to go down near Las Ramblas, the Barri Gotic, etc. The best places are the ones you find with the locals so that there aren't as many tourists. (They seems to taint the atmosphere.) I especially liked a crazy place near my home called the Satanasa. Now the name is a bit dark, but the place was really great. There was also a bar that we would go to by taking the Barceloneta metro line where you could drink cheap wine and tapas, standing room only. Everyone would toss the napkins and whatnot on the floor. But, there were many, many more places with nicer food such as on the wharf and near Placa San Juam, I think.

It was interesting for sure! I went because I had a great desire to become as fluent as possible in Spanish. However, Barcelona is a bit different since the main language around town is Catalan. Then to make things worse I lived with a sister and brother who spoke Gallego at home. Everyone would speak to me in Castellano (Spanish), but it made for an interesting language experience. I studied hard and, since I have a good ear, learned a lot. The only strange thing is that I was so obsessed with learning the language I may have given myself a complex. Now almost five years later my Spanish is MUCH better because I have kept up with my studies and I have much more confidence.

The only thing that comes to mind was that I had to remember that they charged you money if you called locally. At home we do not pay if we are in our own area code. To get the best rates on trains talk a bit with the clerk. They will tell you tips.

If you are in Spain, live it up! Talk to the people. They LOVE to talk, but don't think they are bickering with you if you find yourself in a heated discussion. They just simply love to tell you what they think and then listen to your response. Travel as much as you can. It is easy to get around on the trains and busses. I loved my experience. I would suggest it to anyone who is given the opportunity. The only people who did not enjoy it were those who had romantic interests back home and those who did not care to learn about the culture and the language(s).