Great experience! Past Review
By emma k (Psychology, Colgate University) - abroad from 08/26/2019 to 12/09/2019 with
SIT Study Abroad: Argentina - Social Movements and Human Rights
I became a lot more independent and confident in myself.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes were interesting and the trips throughout the program were really cool. While it was definitely more intense in comparison to other abroad programs it was more rewarding in the end through the language practice and ability to write a research paper. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The directors were all very nice and eager to help with anything |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was amazing! Super nice and very welcoming! |
| * Food: |
best part of the semester! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living with a host family was very helpful in becoming integrated into the culture. Additionally, for the first week, the program focuses on introducing you to the culture/customs. Everyone I encountered was very welcoming, I recommend joining a gym/sports team to meet new people and practice the language! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no issues // the directors were very accommodating |
| * Safety: |
I personally had no issues but 3 people did have their phones stolen. As with any big city it is important to be mindful of your surroundings especially at night. I never felt unsafe throughout my time there. |
| 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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
SIT gives students a stipend for transportation to/from class and for lunch every week day. Food overall was very cheap in Buenos Aires so it was easy to stay on budget. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50$ (depends on week to week) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you go on this particular program there are two restaurants close to CEDES (the main building) that are very cheap (less than $2-4 usd for a full lunch) "si empanadas" and "family (vegetarian)" |
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 |
On trips and during class Spanish was highly encouraged but the group itself made individual rules to stay on track with the language. If at anytime something was unclear it was possible to talk in English but my Spanish definitely improved a lot especially with the host family conversations/dinner. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 364 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Before you go definitely try to watch movies/tv shows in Spanish and talk whenever you can. While you are there definitely take advantage of the host family situation, they love to talk and are not judgmental and in my opinion is the best way to get comfortable with the language. |
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? | Bring some food from home like peanut butter and bars |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
