Immersion into the Argentine culture Past Review
By A student (Economics And Spanish, Wellesley College) - abroad from 02/20/2012 to 07/07/2012 with
IFSA: Buenos Aires - Argentine Universities Program
I have learned so much from studying abroad, both classroom and real-world knowledge. It was such an amazing experience that it is difficult to put it into words. It was totally worthwhile.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | University of Buenos Aires University Torcuato di Tella University del Salvador |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
You can take classes at a variety of universities that have very different academic environments. The staff at the IFSA office are also extremely helpful both picking classes and throughout the semester. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Extremely helpful and friendly, with excursions and tickets to plays, cultural events, and sports games included with the tuition fee. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was super friendly and welcoming. I do not know of anyone who had a problem with their host family. |
| * Food: |
Food in Argentina is pretty basic- pasta, pizza, and steak are on any menu. Buenos Aires does have a lot of ethnic restaurants that are good too. Plus they love desserts! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt like it was hard to meet Argentines through the universities unless you are a particularly extroverted person. I got involved in a number of volunteer opportunities where I met and befriended Argentines in a different setting. My host family also integrated me into the local culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any health problems while I was abroad, so I can't really comment on the health care system. Insurance was included with the program, although you had to front the costs and get reimbursed. The water was safe to drink, consult the CDC website for the recommended vaccines. |
| * Safety: |
The biggest safety problem was pickpocketing and petty theft. This never happened to me though, because I always took care to guard my purse and personal belongings closely. |
| 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) |
Lunches and Saturday dinners were not included, so I spent a lot on food- we liked to go out on Saturday nights, but I bought food to eat in my house for lunches. I went out and spent more than I usually do at home, probably because I wanted to take advantage of the time I was away. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Look for student discounts or events through your host university. It is cheaper to buy food in a supermarket and cook it at home than to eat in a restaurant. Look for the places where locals frequent at night- these bars and clubs are usually cheaper. |
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 |
IFSA encouraged us to speak the language at all times, and we spoke in at all times in class and even when we were just sitting around the office. |
| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | SPAN 273: Latin American History |
| 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? | Talk to your host family. Speak up in class. Ask questions. Set Facebook and your cellphone to the host language so that you are always thinking in that language. Get involved in something outside of class- like sports, dance, or volunteer work- to meet locals and speak the language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? |
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? | It's okay to make a fool of yourself! |
