Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Amazing Learning Experience August 17, 2023

By (Spanish Language, Literature, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/17/2023 to 05/23/2023 with

PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained confidence in my Spanish and met amazing new friends. I also was given the time to reevaluate what is important to me and find the right balance for my life. Being able to thrive in a country with a different pace, culture, and language was incredibly rewarding for me and gave me motivation to continue getting out of my comfort zone in other aspects of my life.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was not satisfied with my first living arrangement, but I was very happy with my second one once I switched.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

safest place I've ever lived, would feel safe walking around at 4 am alone as a woman

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

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)

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
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? don't stress about if what you say is going to be grammatically correct, just speak anyway and get the practice in

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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?
  • seeing different places in Spain
  • getting close with people in the program
  • improving my Spanish and gaining confidence in my language skills
* What could be improved?
  • providing more information on difficulty levels of classes so students can choose the best option for their language levels
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that the Cordoba accents are difficult for even some Spaniards to understand. I'm still very happy I went to Cordoba, but I think knowing this would make me feel a little less discouraged about my Spanish as a whole when I didn't always understand what people were saying to me.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.