Best thing ever! Past Review
By A student (Smith College) - abroad from 08/25/2016 to 05/25/2017 with
PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain
I gained independence, long lasting friendships, and a family. It was totally worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Program is one of a kind. Love all they do since the beginning with the orientation to the end with the going away party. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was one of the best parts of the program because I was able to personally interact and get to know them very well. |
| * Food: |
No comment it was just delicious! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I thought it was very hard to make friends with the Spanish students. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Easily accessible. |
| * Safety: |
Very safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would do it again in a heart beat. My time abroad was a once in a life time experience. Especially coming from a low income family I would never think I could make it to Europe at the age I have. |
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) |
For me it was super easy since I had all 3 meals provided so I only spent money when I traveled. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 20 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you are going to travel buy tickets ahead of time, especially if you are there for the year buy the tickets during winter break for your future travels that spring semester. |
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? | Fluent |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had done the highest level |
| 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? | Make sure you are always making conversations with your host families. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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? | That things change and that one must be prepared and be willing to adapt. |
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.' |
