Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

PRESHCO Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/24/2017 to 12/18/2017 with

PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned more than ever to trust my instincts. It was worthwhile

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.

I was very disappointed with the academics. The University of Cordoba is very disorganized and the PRESHCO staff who are supposed to help you navigate the university are not very helpful. I felt abandoned when it came to choosing my classes, asking for help and communicating with professors. I understand many of my frustrations are due to the fact that the academic system in Spain is different, I still felt like academically it was a waste of a semester.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program staff is very experienced. It is clear that they have been working together and with PRESHCO for a long time. At times this is good, but I felt as though they didn't take some of my concerns seriously and could have been more helpful.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I enjoyed staying with a host family. They were very welcoming. They occasionally made racist/antisemitic comments which made me uncomfortable.

* Food:

Good food. Not enough vegetables. Would not recommend for vegetarians or people who cannot eat meat.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I found it difficult to integrate with the culture. I attempted to take an art class but the staff never got around to arranging it for me. In general, the Spanish students in my classes were not approachable and difficult to talk to. I thought the companero program could be better organized and more care taken into matching students with companeros.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A

* Safety:

I felt safe most of the time. I was followed home once. I would have felt safer if my home was not so isolated from the rest of the group.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

If I had to do it all over again I would have chosen a more structured program in a bigger city

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)

Cordoba is not an expensive place

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $20 a week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Decide how much you're going to spend each week and stick to it.

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

They encouraged it a lot

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 300 level
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Stay with a host family

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
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Host family
  • food
  • traveling
* What could be improved?
  • Academics
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known more about the specifics of the program

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!