PRESHCO: improved vocabulary, confidence, fluency; got to know Córdoba Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/25/2018 to 05/24/2018 with
PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain
I improved at Spanish which was my primary goal. I need to keep working on it to reach the level of fluency that I want (I believe I could communicate any idea I want and understand what people are talking about but there are areas where I could have a better vocabulary like in the kitchen and I still make some grammar mistakes when I speak).
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. |
The UCO classes have very little work for the majority of the semester. This is good because it gives you time to adjust to Spain and make friends. However I would recommend starting to summarize your notes and study early on in the semester because Spanish schools require more memorization than in the US. The PRESHCO classes have minimal work compared to Wellesley. The resources are good. There is a tutor who can help you figure out what is going on and if you are having trouble in a class PRESHCO will pay someone to tutor you. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I really loved the staff. At first I had trouble understanding them because they are all from Córdoba but once I learned their accents I was able to get to know them haha. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had Marta who is really lovely and a wonderful cook. Everyone gets their own room and you eat with your family. It's a really nice situation and helps with immersion. I also was in the center which was a very nice location. |
| * Food: |
Marta cooked really well. I am vegan and was very happy. I'm not someone who particularly eats out but there is always falafel (and during orientation you have to eat out and there were vegan restaurants in the cities we visited and always falafel). |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I made Spanish friends and volunteered 7 hours a week at a local organization so I felt that I was well integrated socially. I also did Sevillanas which was a fun way to feel like I could participate more in the culture (knowing how to dance in the cruces and fería). |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I injured my foot from walking too much on the orientation trip. Once we got to Córdoba I was taken care of. I was shy to ask for help during the orientation trip because I didn't want to mess up the schedule so I don't know whether I could have seen a doctor then or not. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Córdoba. I never had any bad incidents and could walk alone after dark comfortably. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
I only got snacks occasionally and I really could have asked my host mom to buy me snacks I just didn't. Food is cheap in Córdoba compared to the US. You could definitely not spend any money eating out if you bring snacks from home (you have to go a long time between meals but you get used to it). Spanish people (and probably Americans too just not me) seem to go to cafes a lot so if you want to be social you may need to reserve like 10$ for cafes (coffee or juice or something). In terms of personal expenses, I had to spend some money on things like allergy medicine and sunscreen (THERE IS SO MUCH POLLEN IN THE SPRING). The sunscreen was very expensive (15 euros for a medium bottle) and my allergy medicine was 12 euros/20 one-a-day pills (I have no idea how that compares to the US because I've never needed it before). I brought my toiletries with me other than coconut oil and I got a big jar from Frescum (highly recommend its a health food shop with lots of nice things) for 8euros. You could spend no more money or even less than you do in a normal semester because you have all your food provided and toiletries etc. cost the same. For traveling, a gym membership (which is 50 euros a month at the gym they recommend but there are other way cheaper ones that I'm sure are just as useful) and other nice activities within Spain you get 350 euros. I really recommend going to the hammams. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I think I covered it above but you don't need to eat out. Ask your host family for snacks. In terms of exercise, for the gym you can use reimbursos and go to a cheaper one than the one they recommend. You should bring sunscreen and maybe allergy medicine (IDK if it costs less in the US). |
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 |
They encouraged it but a lot of the group was not here for an immersive experience so there was only so much they could do. A lot of people have their goals to travel and have a fun semester with their American friends in the program. There is nothing wrong with that but my goal was immersion so I spent more time with Spanish friends and Middlebury friends (who keep their language oath). |
| 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? | 350 (independent study) |
| 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? | I would say to be nice to yourself and don't be ashamed if Spanish isn't your first language or even if you are a native speaker but you have some holes because you went through an English education system. I think it is good to have breaks at times so you don't burn yourself out but you have to push yourself outside of your comfort zone as much as you can. When I first arrived I was quite nervous to order things in a restaurant not because I didn't have the ability but because I didn't have the confidence. Just keep doing it. Also if you don't look "Spanish" then in big cities people may respond to you in English even if your speaking is fine because they want to practice or think it is what you'd prefer. Don't take it as meaning you aren't good. Just keep practicing and doing things that are hard for you. I have found story telling difficult because you need a lot of connecting words and a mix of tenses. I would tell my host mom stories throughout the semester to work on my abilities to do all of that on the spot. |
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 think I covered this in my earlier comments. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
