Team CORDOBA! Past Review

By (Spanish and Secondary Education, Tennessee Technological University) for

NRCSA: Cordoba - Spanish Language School

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I'd give it ten stars if i could! It sounds so dumb to say it changed my life but it really did. It broadened my mind and influenced me to be an interpreter rather than a teacher.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I learned SO much but did not feel like I was learning at all because it was so much fun! My conversation skills skyrocketed. The teachers were so nice and willing to help, as well as creative in their lessons.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The school's location was great and the staff was very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. They had guides come in every few days to offer excursions and other trips inside the host country so that we had easy opportunities to see anything we could see and the school would help with the arrangements to make it easier. The class sizes were great and made for individual attention. My expectations were exceeded.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My house was within 10 minute walking distance of the school, it was actually an apartment complex and by the end of the semester all the neighbors knew me and would stop and talk to me or wave etc. My host mother treated me like family, she'd always call cabs for me if it was after dark etc. She provided me with everything I needed, the only things I had to buy were luxuries as all the necessary things were taken care of. She helped me whenever I needed her.

* Food:

If you're going to Cordoba I hope you like meat, bread, and ice cream because that's all there is. And boy is it good. I gained 15 lbs in 4 months! They are lacking in the vegetable dept. for sure but it's totally worth it. You'll enjoy many an "asado". My favorite restaurants are: Beto's, Estacion 27, and Il Gatto. And of course Grido helado! Prices are very reasonable.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It was so amazing to meet people from so many different cultures. It's not all the touristy things we saw or the expensive souveneirs that we remember, its the amazing people we met. I think we spent about 4 straight months laughing about cultural differences and stereotypes and just learning that there is a world outside our little box. But, just a few things I recommend visiting in Cordoba: Studio teatro (its a club), Alta Gracia and the Che Guevara museum, and Villa Carlos Paz and Cuesta Blanca.. oh and Mina Clavero is supposed to be very nice. Outside of Cordoba: You GOTTA go to iguazu falls. Its far away but if you never get the chance to come back and you miss that it's SUCH a shame. One of God's most beautiful creations!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I was SO glad I chose to live in Cordoba as opposed to Buenos Aires. I am a young blonde that was traveling alone and was obviously foreign. People could tell I wasn't from there and that normally would make me an obvious target, but I never at one time felt unsafe in Cordoba. However in Buenos Aires, I was constantly looking around and checking my surroundings and my purse. As long as you're conscious of things around you, you're fine. Girls will need to get used to men and boys shouting at them on the streets, after a few days it wont alarm you, you'll realize they're completely harmless and its just part of their culture

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
Language acquisition improvement?

The 90% of the other exchange students spoke at least some English. If I had needed anything, I would have been able to find help, but we all tried to speak Spanish the entire time to encourage learning. I used my Spanish in everyday interactions with storekeepers, in restaurants and at home because I chose to live with a host family. The teachers encouraged us to only use Spanish because that is the best way to learn--and it worked!

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? PLEASE if you want to improve your language and experience the real culture, choose Cordoba. Buenos Aires is more flashy, sure, but go and visit there for a weekend. Cordoba is so much more homey and you will get a real feel for argentina. Also the people are so much nicer and the architecture is gorgeous. Also, to ANYONE studying ANYWHERE, go at LEAST 2 months. Don't settle for these little week trips, you will NOT regret it, I promise you will wish you stayed longer no matter how long you go.