Challenging but worth it Past Review
By Sabina Unni (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/23/2017 to 12/18/2017 with
PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain
I was able to improve my Spanish skills significantly (especially a stronger confidence to speak, writing speed, and comprehension ability) I also felt more of a confidence of existing in a city alone. Sounds weird, but Cordoba is a safe city and small city, so it feels nice and welcome to go to a cafe and drink tea alone.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I ended up taking great classes, with really helpful professors and incredibly interesting course material. Many of my courses ended up being Córdoba specific, such as the archaeology and Roman history, or religious history, and I would recommend that strongly because it gives you a greater understanding of place. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
It was hard to be a vegetarian in Córdoba. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I went out of my way to befriend Spaniards or ERASMUS students, which was vale la pena. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have an experiences with healthcare at all during this program |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Cordoba is a city teeming with history- every small crossroad or alley is an old Roman forum or part of the Umayyad dynasty. I loved being in Cordoba, and being in the south of Spain. I liked being in a part of Spain where English speaking isn't as ubiquitous as Madrid or Barcelona. I loved having to speak Spanish in my host family, and taking classes at the University of Cordoba which really forced my Spanish to improve. There are two to three weeks of a language intensive tour of Spain before the program begins. I loved this, and overall loved the structure that PRESHCO provided. Our group bonded and adjusted to Spain before being thrown into a new experience, and there were lots of support systems put in place (patio in the University, Annex in ciudad jardin, etc). |
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) |
Very easy, all meals are taken care of and the program provides a lot of reimbursements for traveling and expenses in Spain. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Very minimal, some weeks none. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | 241, third year Spanish course |
| 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? | We only spoke Spanish at home and at school; I would encourage future students to force themselves to speak Spanish with American friends. |
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? | I wish I had taken a Spanish class my Sophomore spring before going abroad |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
