An unforgettable adventure! Past Review
By A student (Biology, General., University of San Diego) - abroad from 02/04/2013 to 06/21/2013 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Buenos Aires, Argentina
A lot about navigating cities, SO much about Buenos aires, I gained a lot of confidence in my speaking skills and interacting in Spanish
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
They were some of the easiest classes I've ever taken, and I feel grading was super generous. Which was great! |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The family was not a very good host family. They barely cared about our lives, and we didn't even get breakfast some days. |
| * Food: |
So many carbs, not any fruits/veggies! I don't know how these people live with such an unbalanced diet. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got pneumonia, and I was able to visit a doctor and get the antibiotics I needed without difficulty |
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe in Belgrano, where we lived, and I feel lucky to have made it 5 months without getting robbed, because I know a fair amount of people who did (even locals) so watch your bag and be aware! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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? | 50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Exchange on the blue market, it's a much better exchange rate. Don't waste your time with ATMs. |
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? | Spanish 303 |
| 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? | Make local friends and hang out with them |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Don't be afraid of buses. Spend more time with locals, even if you have to abandon your American friends. Don't use the ATM, exchange your money. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
