Fun and Enriching Semester Abroad July 28, 2023

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

This program is definitely academically intense (you have a semester worth of classes in two months, so you are able to have the last month be solely focused on your independent study project/internship), but in ways that force you to reflect on your experiences (both learned in and outside the classroom) and allow you to gain valuable and important knowledge about public health and its influence on Argentine health care. Additionally, through the numerous excursions to different parts of the country and in and around Buenos Aires, you get to experience the health care system in Argentina first hand, that adds to the initial learning in the classroom.

On-site administration of your program

All of the program staff are amazing, knowledge-able, and willing to help with whatever was needed! They not only are very knowledgeable about and connected in Buenos Aires (as most of them live and/or grew up in the city), they all have a deep understanding about public health in Argentina and have years of experience with the system. They also are there for the students and always approachable and willing to help with whatever situation that arises or help that is needed. They help make the transition into living abroad a lot smoother and easier!

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

In this program you stay with host families while in Buenos Aires and then on excursions in hotels with other students in the programs. The host families were all so welcoming of students into their home and everyone was able to have their own room in their host families' house. Additionally, most host families were comprised one or two host parent(s), so they really make sure you feel comfortable and that you have everything you need. When on excursions, the hotels were always very nice and comfortable and you stayed in double rooms with another student (of your choosing) from the program.

All meals are covered by the program. Breakfast and dinner are provided by your host family, and while normally they incorporate local/typical argentine food, if you have specific dietary restrictions or preferences, host families are willing to accommodate. For example, I am dairy free and my host mom made sure I have dairy free alternatives (like almond milk) in the house as well as cooking dairy free. Lunches are provided through a stipend that the program gives you. This allows you to explore restaurants and new foods in the area! Near the university that you take classes at there are multiple empanada places, a buffet, a sandwich/salad place, and more!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The program does a great job of providing enriching experiences in your excursions (the two week long trips and the smaller trips in the greater buenos aires area) that allow you to interact with local and native argentines. This is a great way to not only learn about Argentina through a public health care perspective, but also meet and talk to argentines. Some examples that stand out, was when our group when to a school and taught CPR (with the help of the RedCross) to students and parents. Additionally, your host families are wonderful ways where you can be integrated with the local culture. Not only do you get to experience their living style, but they often will invite you to family or social events in their lives where you get to participate in typical as well as meet more argentines. Overall, I would say that the program does connect you with the local culture, but how you utilize that/take the opportunity of it is up to you.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

All SIT students are provided with international SOS healthcare which allows you to speak with English speaking providers who can connect you to one locally. I personally, never has to access the healthcare system, but there were students that did, and the program (the homestay coordinator especially) was very helpful with navigating the insurance, but also finding appointments quickly so the student's needs could be addressed. Before departing on my program, I went to a travel clinic where I did receive a few vaccines (typhoid, yellow fever), however yellow fever is only prevalent in the region where the Iguazu Falls are (you don't travel with the program there, but if you do plan on visiting yourself, get the yellow fever vaccine; you can get it in Argentina and it will be free, compared to paying in the US, but if you wanna be prepared you can get it first). Additionally, Dengue fever is a risk (especially in the north, but bug spray will do just fine to prevent that) and some of the water if not drinkable from the sink (but the program will provide water on trips when needed). However, the program is very attentive to these potential risks and are well equipped to keep you safe and remind you about preventative strategies (aka bug spray and bottled water!).

Buenos Aires is a big city and with big city there are some risks (the biggest is probably pick pocketing), but if you are aware of your personal belongings and your surroundings there is no need to worry. I recommend bringing a fanny pack or some kind of wearable bag so you can keep your belonging safe when walking around (and avoid as much as possible using your phone on the streets) and I would default to taking taxis (there is a uber-like app called cabify which is safe and because of the strength of the dollar, they should never cost more than $5-8/ride) at night (if you go out) instead of public transportation and avoid walking alone at night (especially on smaller streets). Again, there is no super big threat as long as you are aware of and take care of your belongings and surroundings. I personally, came home with all the valuable items that I brought with me because I was careful and never felt unsafe. Again, the program staff are there to support you and help you. So in addition to these reminds (that they will emphasize with you), if something does happen (such as a phone is stolen, which happened in my semester), they will work with you to solve the situation however that may be.

This program was perfect for me and I really enjoyed it as it met all my expectation of an academically intense program, where I was able to use and improve my Spanish that had a focus in public health (I am interested in medicine, so this was perfect for me!) that allowed me to get to know Argentine culture, meet local argentines, and learn a lot about public health (especially in Argentina).

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

The dollar is very strong in Argentina, which means on a student budget it very easy to live and also explore a wide variety of activities in Argentina! The program also gives you a stipend for food that is pretty generous, so it is easy to save up some of that money to spend on other things (such as a nicer lunch/dinner, a tourist activity, coffee, drinks, travel, souvenirs, etc).

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

All classes and coursework are taught in Spanish and you live with host families where you communicate in Spanish. Although the program encourages you to use Spanish and you will have exposure through the program, it is up to you in how much you use it between the group and outside of classes/your host families. There are a bunch of opportunities and the more you take advantage of them, the better your language skills will improve.

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• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Americans

• Living with a host family
• Getting to travel around the country with the program
• Getting to see first hand (through visits) what the healthcare system looks like

• I think there could've been a bigger push for us all to see (experience) all three different sectors of the healthcare system

The Academic or Linguist