Incredible in every way. Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/25/2019 to 06/20/2019 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Buenos Aires

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a lot of language skills, and learned a lot about Argentina, Latin American politics and history, and geography.

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.

This was a great program. It was academically rigorous, but I never felt over my head or without support.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have any health problems to be addressed, but my friends who did felt very taken care of.

* Safety:

Buenos Aires is not safe in all neighborhoods, but it is easy to stay safe by being smart.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I learned a lot on this program, and made a lot of friends. It was %100 worth it.

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)

I definitely spent less than $100 a week, although some weeks were difficult if I was traveling or wanted to do something special. Food was easy to buy cheap at supermarkets.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50-75
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Go to the grocery store to buy food, and take the busses instead of taxis or Ubers everywhere.

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

I was encouraged to speak in Spanish %100 of the time.

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? Before departure I had spent a semester studying at the University of Havana, in which all of my classes were in Spanish with Cuban students.
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Watch TV in Spanish and read books in Spanish-- once you no longer switch back and forth between languages, it gets so much easier.

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
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 learned a lot of Spanish.
  • I had a lot of freedom to develop a lifestyle suited to me.
  • It gave me access to lots of local relationships and contacts.
* What could be improved?
  • More organization in terms of visas/paperwork.
  • More cultural activities?
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The Argentinian staff is incredible, and is really a joy to work with. They are a huge plus for the program.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary migrations in Argentina

Course Department: Anthropology
Instructor: Maria Inés Pacecca
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: I learned an enormous amount in this class, and would recommend it to future students. We were assessed with papers, and I was able to work with Argentinian partners in the same way I would with American partners. That being said, it was difficult to wrap up the semester because the professor kept sending me corrections to do after I thought I had officially closed the semester.
Credit Transfer Issues: N/A
Course Name/Rating:

Urban Geography

Course Department: Geography
Instructor: Luis Dominguez Roca
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: This class was really challenging for me, but certainly not impossible. I learned a lot and spent a lot of time with my Argentinian classmates. We were assessed with three exams, which were quite difficult, but fair.
Credit Transfer Issues: