Una Maravillosa Past Review

By (Colby College) - abroad from 01/27/2018 to 05/24/2018 with

PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about Spanish culture, and my Spanish improved immensely!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academic rigor was much less intense than what I am accustomed to at Colby. There were few assignments, except for the last month of the program when suddenly everything piled up. Although there are any assignments, the semester was nonetheless very stressful; taking four classes in Spanish and being in a completely different educational environment were huge challenges.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

While the staff are all lovely ladies, I sometimes felt a lack of academic support. We did not have much guidance in choosing our classes, and were not really prepared to enter a completely different educational environment.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family was incredible, but I wish that the program gave them cultural training before my roommate and I arrived.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

I would want a program that has more people, and that is more tightly centralized.

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? 10 euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Travel less!

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? A third-year college 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? Talk with your friends in Spanish!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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?
  • Living with my roommate!
  • The relaxed atmosphere of Córdoba.
* What could be improved?
  • Administration
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I would be sick almost all the time.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'