Once a Porteño, Always a Porteño January 22, 2025

By A student (International Relations, Spanish Studies, Latin American & Iberian Studies, University of Delaware) - abroad from 08/27/2024 to 12/10/2024 with

SIT Study Abroad: Argentina - Social Movements and Human Rights

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I gained a deepened appreciation for both Argentina and Latin America. I learned firsthand about the fight for human rights through conversations with indigenous families, NGOs, grassroots, and many more amazing groups. I strengthened my Spanish fluency and bonded with locals. They say that nothing worthwhile is easy and this is definitely true of this program.

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.	Academically rigorous with everything administered in Spanish, but extremely rewarding and interesting coursework. I enjoyed the diversity of topics covered and every class (minus Spanish class) had a new professor each time.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Super amazing staff, loved the "girl band"! Ana, Gri, Cata, and Eli care so much about you.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Overall, my housing was good but I only wished I had a slightly different dynamic with my host mom. It was hard to bond with an elderly woman.
* Food:	Argentine food is pretty bland (at least with my host mom experience), but you can find great food! I did have good meal experiences with friends and visiting family.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I felt super integrated with Porteño culture, especially once I saw my Spanish fluency skyrocket. I believe the period for Internships and ISPs is a great opportunity for students to make local friends.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	Personally, I would give 5 stars. When I had a health issue, my program staff helped me immediately and accompanied me to the hospital. GeoBlue is super supportive and local hospital staff were impeccable. However, many of my peers felt that the program staff did not understand their needs. To that end, I'd recommend that before arriving to BA, please check in with the SIT Student Health & Wellbeing center. Get those accommodations and be forthright up front about your medical history.
* Safety:	I loved life in Buenos Aires and I never felt unsafe while abroad. The program staff made sure that the neighborhoods we visited or the places we stayed at were up-to-par. My host family neighborhood was also very safe and I could walk around alone safely (although you still must be cautious, especially at night).
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes Yes, a million times yes. SIT Argentina is a unique study abroad program because of its experimental learning and intensive language aspect. I truly met the most incredible people and made the most of my cultural immersion.

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)	The stipend that SIT gives you is very helpful. The only issue was in the North in Tilcara. In Tilcara, be prepared with a lot of cash prior to arriving. There's only one ATM in town and it is not reliable.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	Wayyy too much
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Think about whether the item is a need or a want. Also, be smart with your subsidy or else you may run out of it faster.

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	Given that this program is designed to be an intensive language program, our staff expected us to speak Spanish first and as our default. All of our classes, assignments, trips, and discussions were taught in Spanish (with few exceptions). Usually, your internship will also be completely in Spanish. Plus you live with a host family who will only talk to you in Spanish (usually).
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 206: Conversation
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?	I recommend making Duolingo, Babble, and/or Rosetta Stone your new addiction prior to arriving to BA. I also recommend pushing yourself to practice writing, speaking, and listening to things in Spanish. It's hard, but it will prepare your brain for the "Spanish overload."

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	Americans
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?	Program Staff Program Theme Intensive Language Aspect
* What could be improved?	Academic Calendar (should be changed so that there's more time to have an internship for 4 months) ISP & Internship Period (this period should not only be for 1 month) Internship Availability (I can't emphasize this enough)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I knew that becoming fluent in Spanish is a lifelong journey. I thought that I would leave SIT Argentina practically as Bad Bunny. Obviously, I did not. However, your fluency will reach new heights and you'll transfer in the best way. You may even dream in Spanish. So don't be a quitter and stay optimistic in hard times. And lean on your cohort for support.

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 Urbanite A 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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	ITRN 3000 Internship & Seminar
Course Department:	N/A
Instructor:	Ana Laura Lobo
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	Ana's Internship class (which is connected with the ANTH 3500 Research Methods & Ethics course) was great! I highly recommend taking the internship route with this study abroad program.
Credit Transfer Issues: