Amazingly Fun Cultural Immersion in Cordoba, Spain! Past Review
By Mika E (Economics, Spanish, Wellesley College) for
PRESHCO: Study Abroad in Córdoba, Spain
I learned a lot about myself while being abroad, through living with a host family, making new friends, and traveling. But I do not think that it necessarily impacted my future academic interests or plans.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There was a very light workload. The grading system was pretty easy. The professors mostly lectured, but were open to questions. Spanish students do not take class as seriously and therefore often do not show up or come quite late. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The PRESCHO staff was always EXTREMELY helpful and available. They always went above and beyond their call of duty. They definitely know Cordoba and the program well and thus could answer all of our questions. The program exceeded my expectations. PRESHCO really tried to immerse us in the culture - offering dance and cooking lessons, hosting parties for the holidays etc. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
PRESHCO placed me with a wonderful host family in a nice apartment in a safe neighborhood in the historic zone of the city, which is very beautiful. It was a 20 minute walk to school and nightlife (could be more). I did not need to buy anything to settle in - my host family provided everything. I was treated as a mix of a family member and close guest. |
| * Food: |
I am not a fan of Spanish food, but my host family made good food. I did not enjoy eating out at restaurants because I generally thought my host family food was better (and cheaper). |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We had many memorable events - La Romeria (a walk to a PRESHCO-hosted meal/dance), Feria, and a very nice goodbye party/talent show. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Cordoba is a very safe city - I never had issues, though I was still careful while walking home at night. I did not have issues with my health while abroad, so I cannot speak about healthcare. I did not need any special vaccines for the program. |
| 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? | I spent next to nothing on personal expenses during the week because I chose not to shop and because my host family provided all of the food. If I travelled, I spent money. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Nothing |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 200-level |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced Spanish with my host family, friends, and professors. Very few people spoke English in Cordoba, so I did use Spanish often in everyday life. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would suggest that the students try their best to speak as much Spanish as possible and to make Spanish friends early on. Outgoing students who really want to learn Spanish and get to know Spanish culture would benefit most from this program. This program is not for students who are interested in a rigorous academic semester. Most of your learning is outside of the classroom. |
