Spring
Summer
Would you recommend the program to other students?
"Absolutely! I have never had so much fun going somewhere abroad in my life. There was a great group of people and the places we went as a group were incredible."
-Chelsea Gardiner, University of Washington, Spain Summer
"Yes I would recommend this program. The program takes very good care of the students and the travel arrangements were very well handled. The program gives a competitive experience for less cost."
-Richard Anthony McClure, University of California, Irvine, Spain Summer
"I would highly recommend GSE Barcelona to anyone because I have spoken with students who went through different programs and were not as pleased as I was. The classes were at the right level, I had a lot of fun, and the staff was very friendly and easy to work with."
-Stephanie Buelna, UCLA, Spain Summer
"I would recommend this program to other students because it was the best time of my life. I learned a lot while I was in Barcelona and GSE did an outstanding job making sure everybody was having the time of their lives."
-Melissa Santos, Indiana University Purdue University Columbus, Spain Summer
"Absolutely! GSE was awesome! The apartments were great and provided a good way to really integrate into city life. The excursions and city tours were fantastic and could not have been planned any better. The provided cell phones were a big help too. Of all the programs that I have researched and heard about from other friends, GSE ranks far and away as the best!"
-Kyle Marscellas, UC Irvine, Spain Summer
What students are saying about the university....
“The University of Barcelona was absolutely breath taking in architecture and in academics it was just as great. The classes were a lot less structured then they are at my home university and left room for interaction and topic changes due to classroom discussion. The classes were also smaller at my home university there is usually 100 plus people in my classes but at UB there was at max 20 people, I felt more compelled to participate in class then I do at my home university.”
-Holly Muller, Virginia Commonwealth University, Spain Summer
“I thought the quality of the faculty was excellent. They had high standards but they were very good at teaching and making sure we understood what they were trying to convey. I would recommend the university to other students”
-Ashley Mullery, Cal State Long Beach, Spain Summer
“The professors were fun to be around and made learning the language interesting. I enjoyed having three different professors to focus on different areas (grammar, conversation, etc)”
-Amy Levine, University of Miami, Spain Summer
Below is a graph depicting the results from our Barcelona Summer returnee surveys. The students were asked to rate their experiences on some GSE cultural events and excursions. You can use these results to get a better idea of possible events we provide and what students thought of them.
Onsite Program Director
“Inma was an amazing advisor/chaperon. I enjoyed learning from her, learning about certain cultural aspect and felt extremely comfortable going to her about any situation.”
-Jessica Scudday, San Diego State University, Spain Summer
“Awesome!! She made me feel like I had someone there if I needed, but she didn't make me feel like I was being babysat.”
-Rachel Kwan, UC Irvine, Spain Summer
“I miss her!! She is truly the most amazing person!”
-Lauren Bermeo, Los Angeles Valley College, Spain Summer
Fall 2009
Would you recommend the program to other students?
“I think I would definitely recommend it. The support offered by the staff is superior and the activities are bar none the best of all my study abroad friends. Plus you can't beat the price!”
-Kevin Durkin, University of Washington, Fall Spain
“Yes, I definitely would recommend this program. GSE does an excellent job of setting everything up (cell phones, apartments, trips). It really makes the whole study abroad experience a lot more relaxing and less stressful.”
-Aoife Shalvey, University of California Irvine, Fall Spain
YES definitely. I think that our program is one of the best because it is small enough for everyone to get close, and because the directors are so caring...but it is also large enough that you can find your own niche within it. This program really made you feel like part of a family.”
-Alexa Stickel, University of Florida, Fall Spain
“DEFINITELY. First, I felt extremely prepared to go abroad thanks to Jess [GSE Program Advisor] and the SOH. My mom especially loved it. Second, the tours and excursions were so much fun and informative, and it really helped me bond with the program directors and students. Third, I LOVED INMA AND LIZ. Any problem or concern I had they answered promptly and efficiently...even if I just wanted to chat, they were so friendly and down to earth. I can honestly say that they are my friends, not just my superiors. Also, I went to the University of Barcelona and I loved having my classes in Spanish!! Yes, it was hard and frustrating at times, but my Spanish has improved so much and that really was my ultimate goal. Lastly, and although this is subjective, I LOVED the people in this program. I feel like we have all become such good friends and that we will visit/stay in touch back in the states!”
Briana Leon, UCLA, Fall Spain
“I would definitely recommend this to other students. It was a great experience and I met so many great people. I have learned so much in 4 months that I would not have learned in the US.”
-Kristen Stitt, University California Irvine, Fall Spain
“Yes, Yes, Yes... The first thing I'm doing when I get back is having my sister look into the next program. Then all I’m going to do is tell my friends on how much they are missing out.”
-Jonnathan Courtney, Orange Coast College, Fall Spain
Below is a graph depicting the results from our Madrid Fall returnee surveys. The students were asked to rate their experiences on some GSE cultural events and excursions. You can use these results to get a better idea of possible events we provide and what students thought of them.
Onsite Program Director
“Pedro was a fantastic director in every way imaginable. I wish I could give him higher than excellent, because he deserves it. He is always there for you for whatever you need and you can depend on him for absolutely anything. He is an overall wonderful person.”
-Matt Hubert, UCSB, Fall Spain
“I can't say enough about how helpful and kind Inma was to me during this process - people told me about her before I cam and she lived up to her awesome reputation!”
-Kevin Durkin, University of Washington, Fall Spain
“Pedro truly knew how to balance being a professional while still being your friend. You felt comfortable to ask him any question you had. When I was sick he called three days in a row just to ask if there was anything I needed and wanted to make sure everything was ok. Any random questions we had he got us the answer. He was always punctual and always around when you needed him. He also would stay in the background so you saw him when you needed to and if there were an issue but he gave you your space as well.”
-Allison Wahl, Temple University, Fall Spain
“Inma was awesome. She’s the kind of person you look up to and never want to disappoint. She ran the program really well and I know in her position she has a lot of pressure to make sure things go smoothly. She was a strong leader for our program.”
-Sean Weafer, University of California Santa Cruz, Fall Spain
Spring
Would you recommend the program to other students?
“This program was amazing. There are a lot of different programs in Barcelona, many of them are huge (100+ students). GSE is a perfect size group and we get the personal attention that other programs can not provide. For the price, we get everything they get plus excursions and multiple day trips and events throughout the week.”
-Claire Malik, San Diego State University, Spring Spain
“I would definitely recommend GSE to another student. Their help prior to departure was amazing. They were very organized and thorough.”
-Ashley Custer, Temple University, Spring Spain
“I would definitely recommend this program because I LOVED the directors and I liked the way they were always there for us, day or night, and treated us like adults and friends. One of my friends is actually doing GSE in the fall because of me!!”
-Alenna Curry, UCSB, Spring Spain
“I would and have recommended this program to other students. The program is well structured but gives you enough freedom to have the experience that you desire.”
-Tova Lobatz, University of California, Santa Cruz, Spring Spain
"I would definitely recommend GSE to other students. I like how GSE was a smaller program and I feel like you got to know the directors and students on a more personal level. All the study abroad directors and advisors were so nice and helpful and were always there to answer any questions and ease your anxiety about being in a new foreign country.”
-Allison Engel, San Diego State University, Spring Spain
“Yes, I would recommend this program to other students. I accomplished what I set out to accomplish, and GSE prepared us well for the experience.”
-Cara Forsyth, Penn State University, Spring Spain
“I would definitely recommend this program to other students because it was the best learning experience of my life. I had the best time and learned more than I ever had.”
-Caitlin Jones, University of California Irvine, Spring Spain
“Yes I would just because it was an awesome experience and the people I met through other programs did not seem to have as cool of trips or apartments like GSE had offered for us.”
-Julie Ann Allen, Cal State San Bernadino, Spring Spain
“Of course. Besides being incredibly fun, studying abroad through GSE has taught me a lot about the world and how to open up your eyes to different cultures. It has also challenged my independence and taught me a lot about myself (my likes, dislikes, and characteristics/personality traits).”
-Rachael Shotz, San Diego State University, Spring Spain
Below is a graph depicting the results from our Barcelona Spring returnee surveys. The students were asked to rate their experiences on some GSE cultural events and excursions. You can use these results to get a better idea of possible events we provide and what students thought of them.
