Amazing friends Past Review
By A student (Smith College) - abroad from 01/25/2018 to 05/25/2018 with
PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain
It was worthwhile! I learned that lack of confidence was something I really need to work on, surrounding yourself with the language is KEY, and that the people you surround yourself with can make or break the 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. |
This was an amazing experience! My class at the university was quite challenging though. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host mom however there were a few microaggressions. |
| * Food: |
In the beginning I had issues with the food but then I spoke with my host mom and it improved greatly. |
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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: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program provided so many resources for us which really sets it a part from other study abroad programs. However, I felt uncomfortable receiving microaggressions frequently and would have loved to study in a city with more racial diversity. |
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? | Most of the time, 0 euros. If I went out 1-2 days out of the week (ice-cream, club, bar etc.) maybe 10-15 euros. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | For people doing my program, take advantage of the free food your host family is paid to give you! Limit going out to fancy restaurants. For trips during vacation and during the weekend, go to the grocery store for food and then maybe have one night out at a nice restaurant if you want. |
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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | SPN 220 |
| 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? | Speak the language with friends. Take advantage of meal times with host families and practice with them! |
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? | 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? | I wish I had known that 1) microaggressions will happen and 2) being in a place where not many people look like you can take a heavy toll on you emotionally and also 3) I wish I had known about ways to deal with those things. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
