Cordoba: It's Paradise. Past Review
By Robyn B (Political Science and Government., Wellesley College) for
PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain
YES! I became more independent, more confident, more outgoing, able to have more fun... I am leading a less-stressful life now, thanks to my entire attitude change. Everything was put in perspective. I am now going to double-major in Spanish and Political Science, and my dream is to live in Spain.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The professors generally are more lenient/have lower expectations for foreign students. The classes were all really interesting, although the teaching methods did include lots of lectures (with little discussion). All of the classes were in Spanish. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Strengths: definitely the program staff! They were all so helpful and kind and generous. Not to mention they have all been working at Preshco for many many years so knew exactly what to do when different problems arose. Everything was very smooth! They exceeded my expectations. Weaknesses: It took more than a month for me to receive my flight/travel reimbursements second semester. Not a huge deal, but it was annoying.. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My neighborhood, San Basilio, was incredibly safe and BEAUTIFUL! Your typical spanish "look" -- whitewashed streets, narrow cobblestone roads, no cars, and my house was wonderful with its own award-winning patio (very cordobes). My host family provided me with sheets/plates/anything I needed. The relationship was at first more like client - providor, as in they served our meals and washed our sheets but not much interaction beyond that. But after living with them for a few weeks, we became like family members. By the end of the year, I was calling them mom and dad. I miss them so much. They are like family! Everything in Cordoba is close. Most neighborhoods are safe, |
| * Food: |
Lots of olive oil and ham. But it is all DELICIOUS. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Great day trips to Zuheros, Medina Azahara, and Castro del Rio; weekend trips to Seville and Granada; flamenco shows; cooking classes; sevillanas dance classes; Preshco did it all! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Cordoba is a very safe city, especially in comparison to Madrid or Barcelona. If you get sick, call Encarni. She will take you to the doctor. |
| 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 spent an average of 150 euros per week on shopping, food (I ate out with friends once or twice per week; it's fun to explore the different restaurants in Cordoba!), going out on weekends. Cordoba is an inexpensive city. If I cut out the shopping and restaurant food, going out on weekends would cost me no more than 30 euros for all 3 nights. (That's less than one night going out in Madrid!!!) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Keep track of the exchange rate. It will tell you when the best time to change money is. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | SPAN 272: Cultures and Civilizations of Spain. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Almost no one in Cordoba speaks English! It was great. First semester, it was hard breaking out of the "American circle" and just speaking english with friends, but after I made close spanish friends later in the semester, my spanish improved immensely. It really was a total immersion--in classes, at home with my host family, at the bakery, at restaurants, basically talking with any of the locals. It was fantastic! I think it would have been different had I studied abroad in a more international city like Madrid, where lots of english speakers live and more of the locals speak english. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | My advice? Do it. You won't regret it. My year in Cordoba was the best year of my life. Students who are motivated to immerse themselves in a foreign culture, who are open-minded, who are enthusiastic and like to have fun, and who are excited about studying abroad will all benefit from this program!!! |
