Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Incredible learning experience Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/25/2016 to 12/19/2016 with

PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a bigger perspective on life and the world I thought I knew. I had never traveled outside the U.S. previous to this, and it really opened my eyes to how large the world really is. A very worthwhile experience.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Not the most challenging educational experience in terms of work load and what's expected of you, however, still challenging in terms of learning the language and experiencing the culture.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Living with a host family really challenges your language skills and is the most rewarding way of improving your Spanish.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never got sick and needed to visit a doctor, however "farmacias," aka drug stores, are located everywhere and have the majority of medicines and treatments.

* Safety:

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

I mostly went abroad to better my Spanish skills, and this program was perfect for that.

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)

With a hot family, I did not have to buy any food or pay any sort of rent. My laundry was done for me. The only costs I had were traveling and anything extra I wanted. Preshco also gives you up to 400 euros in cultural reimbursements.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? If I wasn't traveling, I could get away with not spending any money on food. But in reality, probably 10-15 euros.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try not to spend a lot money on things you know you can find at home, like clothes.

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? 200 level
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Just talk and have conversation as much as posible. Language is different from in the classroom to depending on it in everyday life. The more comfortable you are talking about everyday conversation topics, the better.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The other students
  • The host families
* What could be improved?
  • Organization
  • Communication
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? We were told a little late that we would be taking 2 courses at the university, instead of the usual 1, and felt a little misguided.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!