My exciting experience in Spain Past Review

By (Smith College) - abroad from 01/26/2017 to 05/24/2017 with

PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained knowledge of Spanish culture, food and arts. I improved my Spanish-speaking skills.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academics were not as intense as my home college.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Sometimes the administration did not let students know about excursions ahead of time or would not give us the details.

* 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 only used the pharmacy for buying a beauty tool. Make sure to ask for what you want at a pharmacy and not touch things yourself. I did not go to the doctor.

* Safety:

The city was safe, but it would be best not to walk alone out of the center of the city at night.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I met really nice people and liked the city. I would try to take some different courses though.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 30 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy snacks for your house. Make sure to budget money for trips.

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
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? SPN 245
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? Ask your host families questions Talk to your conversation partners Talk to Spanish students

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
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?
  • Excursions
  • Cultural classes
  • Home stay and meeting students
* What could be improved?
  • Communication with students from the on-site administrators
  • The administrators could tell the UCO professors about the schedule for PRESHCO students
  • Having more excursions throughout the semester
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The UCO classes will mostly be lecture style teaching.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

El Cuento en Español

Course Department:
Instructor: Ana Padilla
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: The teacher did not always tell us what she expected for assignments and presentations.
Credit Transfer Issues: