Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Exciting, interesting, tiring, new. Past Review

By (Oberlin College) - abroad from 02/04/2016 to 05/24/2016 with

PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes it was worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

While the classes provided were useful, they weren't that academically stimulating-however that didn't really matter as our trips around Spain were incredibly fun.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very organized.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my host mom, she was amazing! She made the best food and was so kind and welcoming towards us.

* Food:

Absolutely incredible. A bit harder for my vegetarian friends, but they still were able to find good meals.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I tried getting to know some of the university students. However, I was surrounded by people from Preshco who I'd become friends with and it was hard to get to know new people because it was so much easier to talk with students from the US.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was a little worried about a weird bump on my wrist. The next day we went to the doctor. They were extremely diligent about making sure I was okay-even though there was nothing wrong.

* Safety:

I felt very safe in Córdoba. Of course, I'd recommend walking with a friend at night if you're a girl, but in comparison with other places-it felt very safe.

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

Yes I would, but I'd make sure to really try and go out more at night.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I didn't spend any money on food. Occasionally, I'd need to buy things like toothpaste.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you see something you REALLY want, buy it. Because at the end of the trip you will be out of money and still craving that one particular thing you saw.

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
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Analyzing Spanish Literature-a 300 level class with Solomon.
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? Pick someone to talk with and just talk to them in Spanish.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The language
  • The food
  • The traveling
* What could be improved?
  • University classes
  • Orientation tour
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I'd brought a few more things to do-like make a schedule to write in my journal and sticking to it.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.