Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Great 5 Months in Buenos Aires Past Review

By (International Affairs, Trinity University) - abroad from 07/21/2014 to 12/05/2014 with

IFSA: Buenos Aires - Argentine Universities Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about adaptability and I learned a lot about myself. I learned that different countries have different ways of life and that no single one is correct. I learned that you have to get out of your comfort zone in order to meet interesting people and also in order to discover things about yourself.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The resources for IFSA-Butler were great. There were academic advisors and anyone in the office was willing to help you. The academic rigor completely depended on what type of student you are and what university(s) you choose to take classes at. It is nice that the students have this type of freedom.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were very helpful and kind.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had a great living situation. I loved my host mother that I had in Buenos Aires. She was very sweet and took great care of me. I lived in a nice neighborhood and had a very nice apartment.

* 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:

Buenos Aires has become much more dangerous in recent years. Many students on my program were pick-pocketed, one friend was robbed at gun point, and one student's house got broken into. IFSA was very good about warning us to be very careful and telling us which neighborhoods to avoid, but getting robbed was still pretty inevitable.

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? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would say for people going to Buenos Aires, the best option is to take dollars with you, and exchange them there. You get a much better exchange rate than when taking out money 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? SPAN 3332
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 sure to get involved at your universities to meet local students and also spend as much time talking to your host family.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • I liked the freedom and choices that we had. IFSA let you guide your experience after about the first 2 weeks. It was up to you what schools you wanted to attend, what activities you wanted to do, where you wanted to travel to, etc. Other students that I met in Buenos Aires did not have these privileges. I also liked the people I met.
* What could be improved?
  • Registration and choosing classes was very overwhelming and stressful because you can choose classes from 4 universities. More guidance in the beginning would be appreciated.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would have liked to get involved in activities at my university earlier on.

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!