Mixed Bag: the peaks and valleys of studying abroad Past Review
By A student (Vassar College) - abroad from 07/24/2017 to 12/02/2017 with
IFSA: Buenos Aires - Argentine Universities Program
How to make my own connections, even though I knew no one.
Review Photos
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. |
I'd say that in terms of academic support, and availability of resources the program did a perfectly good job. The rigor and intensity were, however, several substantial steps down from what I am used to at my home university. Part of that is perhaps a function of me selecting a concentration, which limited my ability to take classes at more challenging universities. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
My host family was not particularly open or interested in changing anything or adapting to my preferences. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
It made me deal with difficult situations -- navigating a host family that I didn't always vibe with -- and using public transport early and often in an unfamiliar city. Also the opportunity to be involved in film as a consumer and producer was great. |
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? | between $70 - $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do your own thing for meals if it means saving money. |
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? | Hispanic Studies 387 |
| 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? | Dive into the discomfort of not knowing things and ask questions constantly. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | More information about the character of each neighborhood in Buenos Aires. |
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! |
