¡No te preocupes! - everything will work out in the end Past Review
By A student (Smith College) - abroad from 01/24/2018 to 05/25/2018 with
PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain
Aside from improving my Spanish, I learned a lot about myself and what I value as an individual while abroad. I would definitely do this program and have this experience over again because I think that the changes I've noticed in myself are truly wonderful. I also have come to appreciate living in the United States. I realize now that even though the US has its issues, every country and every continent has its own. Europe is not some magical land where racism and sexism and other issues have been solved - these things are present in Europe, there just isn't as much of a discussion about them. I also really appreciate the diversity in the United States when compared to Spain and Europe as a whole.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Sometimes the staff wasn't very visible. The academic advising portion was a little lacking at times. But, overall, it's a good program. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host mom! She was wonderful! |
| * Food: |
My host mom made sure to make things that my roommate and I could eat and enjoy. She was very accommodating. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Although I made several friends in my UCO classes and spent time with them outside of class, it was still intimidating at times to talk with the Spanish students. I also did not have a conversation partner because the one that was assigned to me decided she didn't want to participate anymore. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was only sick once and the program was helpful with dealing with that. I did not have to visit a healthcare professional while abroad. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe throughout my time in Cordoba. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I really have valued and enjoyed the friendships I've made through the course of this program. Although my most important friendships are with other American students, I don't think that this is a negative. I'm looking forward to seeing PRESHCO faces around campus next year! I also think that Cordoba, while small, is a great, safe place to study for a semester. |
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) |
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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? | 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? | Spanish 220 |
| 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? | Become friends with Spanish students in your classes! |
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 knew how much fun I would have and that I didn't need to be as worried or stressed before arrival. |
