Not Bad For My First Time Across The Atlantic Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/21/2016 to 05/24/2016 with
PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain
I definitely improved my Spanish skills and learned how to be more independent. It was a difficult process, but I am glad I did it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Compared to Wellesley, not terribly rigorous. In addition, only one of my professors ever handed back graded assignments, so this was frustrating. Subject material in and of itself was interesting, and professors usually try to keep students active and participating. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Support staff were absolutely indispensable for emergency situations like doctors appointments or changing host families, although it was clear when some events/excursions were being played by ear and sometimes this led to minorly frustrating misunderstandings in the schedule. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I changed houses with 10 days left in the semester after having too much clash of personality with my host father (i.e. too much machismo). I highly recommend living in a home with no men in charge. Outside of that, staff and families are very attuned to needs like dietary restrictions, allergies, and cleanliness. |
| * Food: |
Host families often prepare delicious local meals like tortilla, pisto, and local fish. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Language immersion was frustrating, but I did make friends here who live here, thanks to the Compañeros de Conversación element of PRESHCO, and I'm glad to have made that local connection. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I went to both a GP and an OB/GYN in Córdoba, and both of those appointments were set up by a member of the support staff who also accompanied me to the appointments to make sure I understood all the doctors' instructions and they understood my symptoms. My only complaint is that I had to pay for the GYN appointment and drugs bought at the pharmacies out of pocket, and these seem like expenses that the program should ideally pay for. |
| * Safety: |
Catcalling is SLIGHTLY more common than in the United States, but I never experienced any particularly unsafe moments. |
| 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) |
Going out to bars is a common practice in Spain, so there were some moments when I had to be extra aware of my budget and choose whether or not to go out, but I never went completely broke thanks to the Reembolsos provided by PRESHCO and monthly money transfers from my parents. |
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 |
As an immersion program, it was basically required. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | SPAN 272, Cultures of Spain |
| 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? | If Spanish is your second language, like it is for me: Immerse yourself as much as you can, but be mindful of when you start feeling mentally exhausted. It takes a lot of energy to think in a language that isn't yours, so be prepared. |
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? | Córdoba was advertised to me in a very romantic way: it was once the intellectual capital of the Islamic world, its architecture represents the glory of the caliphate, it was a place where people of all religions got along, etc. But 1000 years since its glory days, it's now quite small and kind of provincial, especially compared to larger Spanish cities like Madrid or Barcelona. People tend to be more conservative (culturally, politically, etc), it takes a lot of time and effort (and money spent on train tickets) to go to other cities, and the evidence of Córdoba's Islamic history is not obvious on first glance. The Mezquita is now a cathedral, the alcázar celebrates Ferdinand and Isabel, and Cordobeses themselves do not seem proud of the non-Roman or non-Catholic heritage of their city. Rick Steves says the first-time visitor to Spain can knock out Córdoba in a day. Living here for four months meant I had to get creative in finding exciting things to do. So, that is what I want to say to students like me who came in with a very romantic vision of Córdoba: sure, it used to be the capital of the West, but now it doesn't even have a single Starbucks, so be willing to make an effort to find what places in the city make you feel at home. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe 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. |
