Study in Cordoba! Past Review
By A student (Williams College) - abroad from 01/21/2016 to 05/24/2016 with
PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain
Choosing to study abroad in Spain was one of the best decisions I have made. I gained a lot of independence and learned how to travel abroad. I now feel comfortable traveling in countries where English is not the primary language. My conversational Spanish improved significantly. I now have an understanding of the Spanish/Andalusian lifestyle and culture. Overall, an incredibly worthwhile experience.
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. |
The academics were one of the weakest parts of the program. My direct enrollment class at UCO was wonderful, but my PRESHCO classes could have been much more engaging. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
El equipo is amazing! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was fantastic and most people in the program were pleased with their housing situations. One of the best parts of the program. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Always felt safe. Cordoba is a small enough city that even walking back home alone at night, I never had to worry. |
| 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) |
How much you spend really depends on the individual student and how much they want to travel throughout the semester. All meals are provided by host families and PRESHCO takes the group on numerous excursions, so extra costs are what the student chooses to spend. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan travel ahead of time to get cheaper plane/train/etc. tickets! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | 200 level literature course |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Speak to other PRESHCO students in Spanish starting during the tour. |
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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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Pack lightly and with room for bringing back souvenirs - you really don't need that much stuff to get by. |
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.' |
