Love Córdoba - would have liked more homework! Past Review

By (Economics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/31/2015 to 05/19/2015 with

PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I had an amazing experience in Córdoba and with my host family. I learned an enormous amount about myself and my goals and now know exactly what I want in life.

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.

We had almost no schoolwork. The only time I did any sort of academic work was in the actual classroom and during finals period.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administrative team was accesible, helpful, supportive, and overall absolutely fantastic.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Loved my host parents - hope to keep in touch and go back to visit them!

* Food:

Spanish food is delicious except there could be more salads.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

PRESHCO did a great job with cultural events. That said I probably spent too much time with my American friends.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The program was possibly overenthusiastic about helping us with health issues.

* Safety:

Cordoba is the safest, sleepiest little city possible.

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)

Cordoba is very cheap and my tight budget easily covered all of my entertainment costs. The program also gives you a stipend for "cultural activities", which includes just about everything except drinking. My host family prepared all my meals.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $1000, mostly for travel.

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

They didn't let us speak English around them!

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Host family
  • Córdoba
  • Administration
* What could be improved?
  • Academic rigour
  • Cultural immersion
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I'd known to relax and just let myself be immersed in the experience, rather than freaking out about how "good" I was at being abroad.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.