Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

What Could Have Been Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/25/0018 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 about my American identity and have a deeper appreciation for the US and my family. I think it was significantly worthwhile to be abroad, but I wish that I did have to endure some of the demoralizing aspects of my specific host family. However, I appreciate "home" so, so much more now.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Academic courses weren't my priority while abroad - rather, I focused on experiential learning through traveling.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Program administration was not helpful with finding classes - not much support was given. The relationship between administration and students was not entirely welcoming.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My housing situation was not ideal - my host mother was new and very stingy. Her moods fluctuated day to day, depending on her personal life and work. My basic needs were met, such as food and shelter, but even then I felt like I was an invader in her home.

* Food:

My host mother cooked food at her convenience after or before work. I had a limited supply of food to eat when not meal time (snacks), of which included breadsticks and fruit. Just as a note, I had a powder soup once a week, and though it is food, it was not the most appetizing.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I definitely felt involved in local culture, but I credit this mostly to being abroad for 4 months - you're forced to be among the culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

No issues with healthcare.

* Safety:

Safety was fine for the most part. However, being a female Person of Color abroad is not easy. Microaggressions and fetishizing abound - so be wary of this! Especially at night - try not to walk home alone.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I would only do it for the people. The people in my program made my experience wonderful, and some of these students have become best friends. I enjoyed laughing and enduring being abroad with them, and would do this again in a heartbeat to spend time with each one of them.

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)

Everything in Cordoba is cheap, however getting to international airports and airports in Malaga, Seville, or Madrid costs some $$ that will add up!

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? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • the other American students
* What could be improved?
  • Reality of Racism
  • Host Family
  • Food
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Spain can be blunt about racism, and there is no airport in Cordoba, so flying out on the weekends will be a long, time consuming journey.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.