PRESHCO for Fall Past Review
By Kristin L (Mathematics and International Relations: History, Wellesley College) for
PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain
I would definitely say my study-abroad experience was worthwhile. I learned a lot about another culture and way of life. I made friends (both foreign and American) and got to see many things I never would have otherwise. I also gained a deeper appreciation for my ability to communicate in my native language and for my own culture and world.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I found the support services to be very strong. The women in the office (Eva, Encarni, and Maribel) were all very supportive and very available. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I really loved living with my family. They were extremely welcoming and kind (and frequently asked me to treat their home as my own). Most people found their living arrangements very satisfactory. I also found it a great way to improve my language skills and learn about the culture. The only downside to living with a host family is the difficulty in making friends my own age. That being said, I found the cultural and language learning to make up for that. |
| * Food: |
My host family cooked excellently. However, I was a bit disappointed by the lack of variety compared to what I am used to in the States. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I really loved the orientation tour and the trips to Seville and Grenada. They were highlights of my experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I don't know specifics, but not much. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | None. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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