La Creme de la Creme Past Review
By A student (Williams College) - abroad from 01/25/2018 to 05/25/2018 with
PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain
New Friends, Much improved Spanish, feeling a part of a distinct culture and lifestyle, and improved hobbies: classical guitar and Latin Dancing
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. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were simply excellent. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I could not have imagined a better living situation and family. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I think more time in Cordoba would have allowed for more immersion but overall, good. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
It was easily accessible when I had a concussion and an administrator, Encarni, brought me to the doctor. |
| * Safety: |
Very safe at basically all hours in the night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Loved, loved, loved my experience. The administrators were great, caring, and attentive. They cared about the welling of the students and their Spanish proficiency. The students were driven to get better in Spanish, andI love that I have so many new good friends with such a wonderful shared experience to look back on. |
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? | 150 |
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? | RLSP 210: Advanced level Spanish |
| 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? | Imagine the way you would respond in english and then challenge yourself to say it the same in spanish |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I believe the different between a good and great study abroad experience is the way you spend your free time. Don't go on Netflix--pick up a hobby, with locals. Like Salsa/Kizomba/Bahcata. |
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.' |
