Argentina: Exciting and Really Fun! Past Review
By Mercedes S (Teaching English as a Second Language, Portland State University) for
GEO: Rosario - Study Abroad Programs in Rosario
This program convinced me to be an ESL teacher so that I could return to teach.
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. |
The course work wasn't always easy, but I learned a lot. My Spanish really improved. I was just a little disappointed I wasn't taking classes with other Argentines. The other students in the program and I all took our courses in a different building than Argentine students. The building itself was really nice. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration planned fun activities for us, including trips to different places around Argentina. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The family I stayed with was very kind and generous. They accommodated me very well and the neighborhood I stayed in was safe. |
| * Food: |
For lunch, there were three different places to eat for free, two of which were not very good. I was glad I wasn't a vegetarian, because it would have been hard to find something to eat. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I recommend going during the fall program, because it is spring time in Argentina and you will get to go to Iguazu falls. That was by far my favorite trip during the program. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Do not walk alone at night, even if you're a guy or you think you're in a safe neighborhood. I narrowly avoided being mugged in a really nice area at around 9 at night. Use common sense. Also, bring emergen-c or something to sanitize your hands. Most people in the program got sick at least once. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I used Spanish in my everyday interactions, especially with my host family. A lot of Argentines speak English, though. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Students who enjoy going out of their comfort zone will benefit the most from this program. Those who expect to be somewhere that is clean and pristine should choose a different destination. Argentina is fun and lively, but doesn't have all the same comforts as here in the US. |
