Challenging but fun Past Review
By A student (PSYCHOLOGY., Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/03/2014 to 12/18/2014 with
PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain
It was 100% worthwhile not only for improving my language abilities but for cultural immersion as well. Living in the Spanish culture was a revelation.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe walking the streets of Córdoba, but the culture of catcalling and street harassment is alive and well in Spain and Córdoba is no exception. It's just important to remember to be safe, carry your keys, and stick with a friend. Every night all of my friends would text each other when they got home which was a good system for us. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
Finances
|
* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
The PRESHCO reembolsos program is fantastic. It gave me a lot of freedom to go out and enjoy activities that I might not have done otherwise for lack of funds. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~10 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you keep a record or journal of everything you buy--and I mean EVERY THING, it gives you a really good insight into your spending habits and you can see where you can/need to cut back. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We were always "required" to speak Spanish, but especially during trips or times of being really insulated with other Americans, it was hard to speak anything but English. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 200-level Spanish at Wellesley |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Spend time with your host family! They are always very welcoming and patient and will often gently correct your speaking or accent. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The pace of life in Spain is very different--very relaxed and slow--and it can take some adjusting. I felt very restless at first. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Historia Moderna Universal I |
| Course Department: | History |
| Instructor: | Prof. Peña Díaz |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | This course was, quite honestly, just AP European History taught in Spanish. It was difficult in that the professor talked very quickly, didn't use any visual aids, and often went on tangents, but on the whole the content was interesting and the assessments fair. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No issues :) |
