A wonderful semester in BsAs Past Review
By Ian Cook (Spanish Language, Literature, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor) - abroad from 02/27/2016 to 07/18/2016 with
IES Abroad: Buenos Aires - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
I improved my Spanish skills a considerable amount, and feel comfortable speaking with whomever, native speaker or not. I earned credits toward majors at home, became fully proficient, made tons of friends, and had a great cultural experience.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I felt like things were a bit disorganized at times, but this was mostly due to problems with local universities that were out of IES's control. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Very good placement. |
| * Food: |
Good food in homestay and elsewhere. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I feel like I integrated pretty well — IES staff helped expose us to as much as possible, and I learned a lot from Argentine friends I met in class and while going out. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no health issues, but when others did it was handled very well. IES staff showed up ASAP when someone wasn't feeling well, and aided them getting health care and stayed with them at the doctor's/hospital. |
| * Safety: |
Safe, but there are issues with pickpocketing in the city. |
| 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) |
The exchange rate is in the favor of the US, so things are decently cheap. However, I had to eat out a lot, as I wasn't allowed to use the stove in my homestay. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~$70 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try to withdraw money as infrequently as possible to avoid multiple fees. |
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 |
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| 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 298 |
| 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? | Surround yourself with native friends and don't use English! |
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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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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? | How to transfer 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! |
