Sunny Days in the South of Spain Past Review
By Elizabeth Powell (Smith College) - abroad from 08/25/2018 to 05/24/2018 with
PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain
Language skills, more confidence in my Spanish, yes it was worthwhile
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
less rigorous than my university, didn't get much support from PRESHCO for my UCO courses |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Was not as helpful as they could have been. I lost my wallet and a bag with other possessions over the weekend, they helped me call the bus company I used but didn't help me with the police or offer me other resources to find it. They help with doctor visits. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family, but I have dust mite allergies and they did not wash my sheets every week as I requested in my application. The apartment I was in was very small and felt claustrophobic at times. |
| * Food: |
Host family made food, I had salads every day and homecooked meals. Some students complained that they didn't get enough fruits and vegetables. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We get companeros de conversation, where they pair us with a UCO student. Other than that, it's up to you to find things to do in the town and make new friends, which can be difficult just in classes. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
very easy, we were acompanied by program members to the clinic to help translate. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe. I heard of other students getting followed home, catcalled, and had to deal with racism and microagressions. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The reimbursement program, the city is small enough that people don't speak English which forces you to speak Spanish, the main building of the university is beautiful, there are some really nice and good professors. The weather here is generally warm and sunny. |
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) |
We had a reimbursement program so you could live on a budget, but if you are studying abroad its very hard to save money |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 10 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save money before you go abroad |
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 |
About 3 times through email, and if we were talking in English in person they would tell us to speak spanish |
| 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? | 200 |
| 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? | Speak as much Spanish as you can, spend less time with program students and more time with Spanish speakers |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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 don't know |
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.' |
