GENIAL!! Past Review
By Elise M (International Relations And Global Studies, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 02/06/2012 to 06/28/2012 with
National University of Cordoba: Cordoba - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
So worthwhile!! I improved my Spanish immensely and got a great sense of Latin American realities I could never get at home in a classroom plus I made some amazing friends!
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. |
The classes were not diffucult but extremely interesting and pertinent to my studies. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I got help when I needed it and asked for it but was by no means babied which I really appreciated |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The homestay experience was very educative and a great way to get to know the culture but it is hard to live in a family after having lived by myself for so long. If given another option I would opt out of homestay for personal freedom's sake |
| * Food: |
Asado argentinao = delicous everything else = dissapointingly bland and lacking in vegetables |
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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? |
I had to see a doctor once and mailed the bill to my insurance company fro reimbursment per usual but never recived a reply or reimbursment. |
| * Safety: |
Keep and eye on your stuff but in general Argentina is safer than Argentine mothers will have you believe |
| 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) |
travel and food are expensive but it is very possible to live on a budget if one tries |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | averaged out probably $30/week; most weeks I did not spend this amount but it is averaged out with the weeks of travel |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | eating out will be what gets you if you let it. save up for travel by eating at home. public transportation also adds up quite fast. always try to share taxis with friends who live close by |
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 |
spanish-only all the time |
| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | advanced spanish |
| 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? | be careful not to fall back on english-speaking friends you meet aborad. Make friends with those you can speak Spanish to |
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?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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? | Don't bring a suitcase, bring a backpacking pack. Its easier and will make the inevitable travelling you do that much simpler and enjoyable. |
