A Semester in Córdoba Past Review
By A student (Oberlin College) - abroad from 08/23/2017 to 12/18/2017 with
PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain
I learned a lot more conversational Spanish, and how to adapt to new situations. I have always been very good at being alone and independent, but my semester in Córdoba reinforced that. It was worthwhile, but also pretty tiring and by the end I was very ready to leave.
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 PRESHCO program classes were far too easy for me, and the classes were too long for the amount of information covered in each. The University of Córdoba classes were challenging (mainly through having to adjust to an entirely different educational system), but I enjoyed most of my professors. The rigor and intensity absolutely depends on language level, but also is affected by how well one does with relatively chaotic/disorganized lectures, without discussions or much dedication to critical thinking. It was a meaningful learning experience, but I found myself missing the academics in the U.S. a lot. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The group of women who run the program, known as the "equipo", are super knowledgable about Spain and, more specifically, Córdoba. Generally, it was a very organized program, and its organizers know what they're doing! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family of two moms in a neighborhood very close to the university, program office, center of the city, and Renfe train station. They were great hosts, but being in a host family is exhausting and at times uncomfortable. |
| * Food: |
I am a vegan and my eating restrictions were generally respected. I like some Spanish foods a lot, but I definitely miss what I eat in the U.S. and cooking for myself/choosing my own portions/choosing my own meal times. |
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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? |
I did not have any health issues during the program, but I knew of someone who did, and they seemed to be addressed appropriately. |
| * Safety: |
The city is safe and there tend to be people out and about at all times. I did have many experiences (nearly daily) of street harassment, which the program did not talk to us about. When going on a run or walking, men often made me feel unsafe and upset. |
| 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? | $10 or so for coffee and snacks! |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you're traveling, plan trips ahead of time! Buy snacks in bulk! Don't go out to eat if you could just eat with a host family! |
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? | Advanced |
| 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? | 300+ 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? | Watch television with Spanish subtitles, listen to Spanish music, talk to your host family, watch Spanish television, go out and about to cafes or stores! |
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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Bring warmer clothes, bring a lot of books, and be prepared to have more free time than you've had in years! |
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.' |
