A Mixed Bag But Worth It Past Review
By Leah Weaver (Hamilton College) - abroad from 02/26/2017 to 07/09/2017 with
IFSA: Buenos Aires - Argentine Universities Program
I learned a new kind of independence and a lot about myself and how I interact with people. It was definitely worthwhile.
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. |
The classes weren't particularly rigorous but the required Spanish class was the most useful Spanish class I've ever taken. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff are very supportive, engaged, and interested in your personal well-being and they are very approachable. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My housing situation was not ideal, though IFSA did give me the option to switch. |
| * Food: |
My host mom did not usually cook fresh meals for me, and the food was not healthy. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Though I didn't get a lot of interaction with my host family, I was interacting with other Argentines regularly and felt very integrated into society. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I personally didn't have any health care issues, but it seemed like others' issues were handled well and resources were available. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe walking around alone during the day time, though at night things could feel a little iffy as a young white female. Pick-pocketing was the biggest issue I encountered. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $60 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring cash and change it when you get there, or set up a special bank account with reduced 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? | Advanced |
| 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? | 200 level |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? |
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? | I wish I had known more about the orientation details |
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! |
