Córdoba Experience Past Review
By tiffunknee (Medieval/Renaissance Studies and Spanish, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/30/2014 to 05/26/2014 with
PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain
I improved my Spanish speaking skills dramatically and made life long friends. You really learn how to live independently and get things done by yourself. I learned so much about myself and others that it was definitely worthwhile!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
My Art History class was amazing. We had a field trip every week to apply what we've learned! However my geography class was a little less interesting. We weren't given as many chances to speak in class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The team is brilliant. So helpful and wonderful. They really become your second family. Chris and Susie are amazing!!! Love them. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was given exactly what I asked for. All the families are fantastic and very caring. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Because it's such a small city, you really get to know every single person who lives there. I made many friends not only with students from the school but street vendors, waiters, etc. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Like any city, there is a risk of being pick pocketed or worse. It is definitely safer than many other cities, but my friends and I did experience some ignorance and racism. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
We were given money left from our tuition. It was great, like we were given an allowance. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | not much, especially because your host parents provide food for you! |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You definitely have to be careful with buying souvenirs, personally I don't think they're worth the money. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We were basically forced (not in a threatening way, but extremely encouraged) to speak Spanish. I'm grateful for it! |
| 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 327 |
| 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? | It definitely became difficult towards the end of the program to speak Spanish, because you've made so many close friends and of course it's much easier to just speak English. But I really encourage you to speak Spanish as much as you can (if not to your PRESHCO friends), then at least to every other person (which is what I did). |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | You don't need to bring as many things as you thought you did! Pack simple |
