Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Salvaje en Spain Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/29/2015 to 05/26/2015 with

PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes. I gained an independence and self-confidence in being able to learn a foreign language and navigate a different culture. I also made an effort to travel and went to a few places by myself (I spent Semana Santa hiking the Camino de Santiago in Galicia), which was incredibly worthwhile and completely recommended. Traveling alone can be hugely fulfilling--just remember to be safe and keep your wits about you.

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.

The classes were easy in comparison to those at Wellesley, but the education was well-rounded and included many cultural aspects.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was taken to the doctor in my first weeks for a sinus infection and the care was provided free of charge. A team member from PRESCHO accompanied me to the clinic and acted as my interpreter when I was unable to express myself.

* Safety:

Cordoba is beyond 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)

The only expenses I had were drinks/meals out with friends, all of which were superfluous. My host family fed me all the time and it's possible to walk all over the city, so this program is great if you're on a budget. They'll also reimburse you for your plane tickets (up to $900) and for cultural expenses (around 400 Euro, I think).

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? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced

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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The students and team
  • The opportunities for travel
  • The host families
* What could be improved?
  • More free days for solo travel
  • Intercultural education with host families
  • A more diverse schedule for traveling (i.e., visiting sites outside of churches)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Grades are fairly relaxed, so I wish I would've just bitten the bullet to skip classes and travel more. Even if my grade would have been knocked down for those absences, it would have been worth it to see more of Europe while I was there.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.