I'm glad to be back in the states Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The quality of the education really cannot compare to what I get at Smith. Certainly I expected the experiences to be different from one another, but I found that UCO and PRESHCO were different from Smith academics for the worse. My courses were either far too easy to feel worth my time, or challenging and completely lacking in support from the professors. I was glad there were tutors available to help us, but the presence of tutors did not improve the quality of the education that UCO had to offer. Students who are considering programs should have a better idea of what the academics will entail.

On-site administration of your program

Somewhat disorganized.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

They were very nice and tried to be accommodating of me. I was allowed to come and go as I pleased, which was good. And I loved the dogs!!!! However, I felt somewhat uncomfortable with some of the restrictions of the household. I was not allowed to use the stove (or other large appliances in the kitchen), even though in my application to PRESHCO I prioritized kitchen access. Furthermore, I am generally someone who is very uncomfortable with people entering my space and/or touching my things, and I did not like the arrangement wherein my host entered my space to clean the room for me. While I understand the job of cleaning is theoretically supposed to be the responsibility of the hosts, and while I understand I was in someone else's home, I would have greatly preferred total autonomy over the cleaning of the space allotted to me. I wonder whether the program might consider housing arrangements other than just host families. My experience would have been significantly improved if I had lived with other students and had more freedom/control over my own space / if i didn't have to contend with them sometimes-complicated dynamic of living in someone else's home.

The food was excellent!!!!!! Delicious! My only issues were: I was sometimes stressed out by the lack of control over what I ate, especially in a context where it is rude to not eat what has been served to me. My hosts were always sure to prepare plenty of food for me, though it would have been easier for everyone if I was allowed to sometimes make food for myself. A suggestion: I learned from a friend who has been doing the Smith in Paris program that said program is arranged such that breakfasts and weeknight dinners are always with the host families, and they get stipends to cover lunches (8 euros per lunch) and weekend dinners (15 euros per). This arrangement intrigued me and, in my opinion, would optimize the host-family experience. Having some meals on our own would mean both more freedom (and more cultural exposure) for the students, and less work for the host families. I strongly recommend considering this or a similar alteration for the future.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I gained an understanding of local culture, but can't say I felt particularly integrated in it. This is for various reasons: 1.) the majority of the people of Cordoba are so heavily steeped in racism, sexism, and queerphobia that I felt unable to really connect with the people there (and at times felt outright isolated). 2.) It was also difficult to expand social circles when every meal is with the host families. Certainly, I knew I was allowed to have as many meals out/ not with the host family as I wanted, so long as I gave them notice. However, every time I did so necessitated spending more money on food. I would have gone out more often if some of the food money were given directly to me in stipend-form.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I can't really speak to this, as I did not really seek access to health care at any point.

I never felt in danger of being mugged/ robbed or anything like that. However, I know that Cordoba definitely did not feel good or safe for the students of color in the program, as Cordoba was filled almost entirely with white people and relentless racism.

I think I explained myself reasonably enough in the previous comments.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

It was definitely manageable for me. However, I felt I was spending waaaaay more than I would have liked to on food, considering the food is supposed to be paid for. Certainly, my host family fed me very well, and I could have survived without buying as much food as I did. But I like having food around to snack on throughout the day, and I wish that we had some kind of stipend for food.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Select all that apply

• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Food
• Improved Spanish
• Opportunity to travel

• Prepare your students for the racism, sexism, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, etc. which will take on new forms than they do in the U.S.
• Academics
• New forms of housing arrangements.