Good International Experience in Southern Spain Past Review
By maanika (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/29/2013 to 12/19/2013 with
PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain
Learned about Spanish culture/history. It was nice to spend an extended period of time in a place that's not the most touristy place in Spain. Cordoba has a long and interesting history, and you can see it in its infrastructure. It was worthwhile.
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. |
Almost no work. Very lecture-based. I wish there was more discussion in class so we could practice speaking Spanish, but that's just not the Spanish style of teaching. All of the classes were in Spanish, which helped with our Spanish comprehension. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff ("el equipo") was great. They were very attentive to our needs. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Great location. Great family. You should be very honest on your housing preferences form and you'll usually end up with a family you like. If not, the staff is great about helping you find a new family. |
| * Food: |
Food in Spain is great! In Cordoba, there are regional foods you don't typically find in other parts of Spain, and I loved it. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I didn't feel as integrated as I maybe could have. We had host families, which helped. You have to be forward in order to integrate and meet new Spanish friends. And try to speak Spanish at all times! |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no issues. |
| * Safety: |
I could walk around Cordoba at any time of day or night and feel completely safe. |
| 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 and southern Spain in general is on the cheaper side. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 35-50 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Avoid spending too much money on food, because it is provided by the program and your families. A lot of cafes give a free tapa when you order a drink. Also, don't travel TOO much. This helps save money and helps you really experience Cordoba. |
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 wanted us to use Spanish all the time, but when you're with your American friends, it is easy for English to slip into the conversation. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 241 |
| 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? | Make sure you're immersed and speak Spanish as much as you can! You should make sure to spend as much time as possible with Spaniards and to avoid going out in large groups of Americans (keep it to groups of max 3 or 4 Americans). When you're with all Americans, it is easy to slip back to English. Try to speak Spanish when even with Americans, even if it feels silly. This way, you'll get more practice and when it comes to speaking with Spaniards, you'll feel less nervous. |
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? | 1. Bring as little as you can when you're going to Spain! You'll want to bring souvenirs home, and this will make it easier to pack when you're coming home. One large suitcase and one small suitcase (not completely filled) max. 2. Really try hard to be forward and go out to bars/cafes/clubs to meet new Spanish people. Don't be nervous. They won't care if your Spanish isn't perfect, they'll just care if you're forward and trying to speak to them. You're a novelty because you're American, and they'll want to talk to you if you make the effort. 3. Try not to go out in large groups of Americans! And when you're out with Americans, try not to speak English all the time. 4. When you're at the initial party meeting your compañeros de conversación, try to meet as many Spanish people as possible in order, so you have many possibilities for new friends. 5. PRESHCO will give you a handbook with a lot of good information. Read it cover-to-cover and try consult it before asking questions, because chances are, the answers are in book. |
