Go Study BA Past Review
By Ariel H (Spanish Language and Literature., Western Washington University) for
ISA Study Abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Studying abroad is always worth while. It is what you make it and being in another country, another culture and learning a new language can only help strengthen who you are.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It's not very challenging but attendance is mandatory. Stinks because you have to pay a bunch of extra money to actually take classes with Argentines so I didn't and I was only with other Americans and a few other countries. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff there was great. Guillermo (the program director) is a great guy, very helpful and easy to talk to. All the staff is friendly. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had the most wonderful host mom. I was in a very safe neighborhood and once I had been there for a while felt completely safe and came to know my neighbors, which is rare in such a huge city. |
| * Food: |
na |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
na |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
BA is a dangerous city, but don't be an idiot and you'll be fine. Don't speak English, carry your bag in the front, don't act American and always be alert and aware of your surroundings. No health issues. |
| 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? |
Mostly just practiced with my host mom and with my teachers. in class among each other all the students spoke in English and out and about too. When meeting people you spoke but it was hard to do that. |
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? | Make sure you're going to have enough money. It gets expensive because you want to go out with friends and even though the dollar is pretty strong right now, inflation rates are crazy high so it is expensive. |
