Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Great experience, I don't regret for a minute that I had this opportunity. Past Review

By (Spanish and Nursing, Western Michigan University) - abroad from 01/23/2013 to 05/18/2013 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Buenos Aires, Argentina

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
With regards to the question above, I enjoyed my time in Buenos Aires, but I also discovered that I don't love living in a large city. I would come back to Argentina if it were possible to have a program in another province, like Mendoza. My experience was absolutely worthwhile. I actually ended up gaining an appreciation for the history and politics of Argentina, more so than I have for my native country.

Review Photos

CEA Global Education: Buenos Aires, Argentina Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About 280 pesos
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Pack enough clothes for all of the seasons. Get your local currency through xoom, not through an atm

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
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? 3870
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 tv shows and listen to music in the language that you're trying to learn.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • My host family was excellent. Dinner time was my favorite part of the day, in part because my parents only spoke Spanish with us, and they always had interesting conversation topics.
  • CEA staff was welcoming and approachable.
  • My classes were interesting. I feel like I learned a lot, and I was pleased with most of my professors.
* What could be improved?
  • I would have loved to have some classes with native speakers. It's too easy to fall back into English when everybody you're living and studying with speaks it.
  • A greater opportunity to speak Spanish during class. I felt like I did an abundance of reading it at home and listening to it during class, but rarely did most of my classes promote in class discussions.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To pack warm clothes, more razors, and to stuff my suitcase less....lack of travel experience problems. Packing heels was just plain silly. We walk far to much for those.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!