Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Aventura Maravillosa en Córdoba, España! Past Review

By (Economics And Spanish, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/31/2013 to 07/27/2013 with

PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to be independent. I learned how to deal with racism, subtle and blatant. I improved my Spanish comprehension. I learned how to navigate/explore a city.

Review Photos

PRESHCO: Cordoba - University of Cordoba Photo PRESHCO: Cordoba - University of Cordoba Photo PRESHCO: Cordoba - University of Cordoba Photo PRESHCO: Cordoba - University of Cordoba Photo PRESHCO: Cordoba - University of Cordoba Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academic support was great. The staff was always willing to help students locate the needed resources including books, copies, etc. The classes were taught in Spanish, but content-wise were not very challenging. The lecture-only style of the classroom was not very effective.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I love the staff of PRESHCO.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with a host family and they were great! The food was good and the host mother was very willing to accommodate my housemate and my tastes. The house was clean. The host parents were friendly and gave me enough independence.

* Food:

The food tasted good. My host mom made traditional Spanish dishes and also made sure to include fruits and vegetables in our meals.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There were many opportunities to take part in community events. However, as one of the two American programs in Spain, we were obviously foreigners so it was easier to hang out with the other American students. Furthermore, in the classes, the Spanish students tended to have "friend groups" already and were not very approachable.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't personally have any health issues during my time in Spain, but I knew what resources were available and how to access them if I needed them.

* Safety:

I never felt threatened during my stay in Spain. I made sure to be cautious of pick-pocketers though.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I decided to splurge in Spain, so I spent much more than I expected. I don't regret it since it was a once-in-a-lifetime sort of thing. For traveling throughout Europe, I would recommend flying via RyanAir or EastJet out of Malaga (the closest international airport from Córdoba.)

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

I was always reminded by the staff to use Spanish. The courses were taught in Spanish, and I spoke Spanish with my native friends and host parents. However, I was constantly surrounded by my American friends who would speak English with me. This caused me to not practice speaking as much as I should have, however my comprehension/listening skills improved drastically.

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? Span 272
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? Do not speak English with your American friends. Make an effort to speak the language of your country, even if it's easier to just communicate in your native language.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • The relaxed, chilled environment of the city
  • The staff/other students of PRESHCO
  • The cultural activities/field trips
* What could be improved?
  • More challenging/interactive courses
  • More program events with Spaniards/natives/compañeros
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how challenging it would be to break into the Spanish friend circles so that I would have tried harder to do so from the beginning. I wish I knew how much I regret not trying to speak Spanish more with the other American students/as much as possible.

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 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.