You'll learn a ton Past Review
By Skylar L (Colgate University) - abroad from 08/28/2013 to 12/20/2013 with
SIT Study Abroad: Argentina - Social Movements and Human Rights
I learned a lot about myself, how to get by in a totally new city and what we take for granted as normal in the state.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This program was definitely everything I looked for - you don't spend too many hours in conventional classes but you'll learn a ton. Argentina has almost limitless chances to get to know a place that might seem similar to a Western city at first, but has a completely different attitude, culture and politics. |
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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? |
The homestay will be what you make it - speak as much spanish as you can with your family, spend time with them, ask questions and say yes to any opportunities! |
| * Food: |
You'll have a few fancy meals of Argentine asado but also find the cheap lunch spots across BA – there's an awesome growing culinary culture and a million food blogs to go follow for recs. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My host parents were impressed with how much we got to know Argentina and BA - I was their first student from SIT and it really was different than the other experiences they described, and the stories my friends from competing programs described. |
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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
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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) |
It's definitely hard to live cheaply in BA when you might not have a kitchen and the main things to do socially involve getting food or drinks out. |
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? | 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? | 2 years high school 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? | Just don't speak english with the group, it's awkward at times but worth it. Take it slow, you'll get exhausted at first. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | I wish I knew how tightly packed the schedule would get at times. That being said, you get a month free. |
