Pleasant times in Cordoba Past Review
By Sara D (Spanish Language and Literature., Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/30/2012 to 12/17/2012 with
PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain
My Spanish did improve, which was the only goal I had for going abroad. Therefore, I would say that it was worthwhile
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I had little to no academic work required of me throughout the semester. It was good in that they only taught in Spanish, but none of my courses were particularly demanding. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I thought the program was very well organized, and I was pleased with the on-site administration. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host family. They were wonderful |
| * Food: |
My host mother was an excellent cook and I loved all our meals together |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was living with a host family, which was good for integration, but all of my classes were with PRESHCO students for the most part, and it was hard for me to make friends with the local students. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I personally didn't have any health issues come up over the course of the semester, but I heard good things about the program administrators response to health concerns. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe for the most part, even though I had to walk home alone late at night many times. If you can, travel in groups. |
| 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) |
Since I ate all of my meals with my host family, I had very few extra expenses |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Pretty much nothing, except for an occasional ice cream. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you can, don't eat out as much. |
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 |
|
| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 305 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Just try to speak as often as you can. You will improve even if you only speak with your host family. |
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? | I should have directly enrolled in more classes and taken fewer PRESHCO classes. |
