Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Fun, quick, different Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/23/2018 to 12/17/2018 with

PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
New vocabulary Cultural experiences

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I took courses that were both fun and rigorous

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Communication with students could have improved

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

The food was great!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have access to my prescription medication for the first 2 weeks (my fault), and I was able to purchase the medication without a prescription at a pharmacy. I got a corneal abrasion (scratch on the eye), and was able to go to a 24 hour pharmacy to buy antibiotic eye drops without a prescription that worked like a charm (happened to me in the U.S. as well, but I had to get a prescription). My friends did however, have to go to the hospital for allergic reactions and other unrelated things. The front desk nurse wasn't very helpful, make sure you let them know that your insurance is in fact accepted. The PRESHCO program administrators were great and helped make sure everything ran smoothly, and even met with them at the hospital and stayed until the students were released. In Spain, the hospitals don't and will not treat you if your insurance is not covered there, so please find out in advance which hospitals accept your insurance. In the U.S. even if your insurance doesn't work, you can still be treated, and figure out how to pay later, not in Spain.

* Safety:

It is pretty safe. I wouldn't walk alone at night.

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

It was fun, I loved the classes, the professors were great. The food was also good.

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)

Remember that euros are more than dollars

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $30 - snacks, about 23 euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Create a budget - don't forget to convert the money

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

we had to sign a contract

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? Span 305
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? telenovelas

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Food
  • People
  • Location
* What could be improved?
  • Communication
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? - If you like spicy food BRING YOUR OWN HOT SAUCE!!! Nothing labeled spicy is actually spicy. - Fascist still exist

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 Linguist
You 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!