Thanks for the Memories! (and the mate) Past Review
By Sydney Jameson (Houghton College) - abroad from 02/09/2019 to 07/06/2019 with
SSA Education Abroad: Córdoba - Internship and Service Learning in Argentina
I got to play field hockey with a club team at the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, which honed my language AND social as well as my field hockey skills. The hockey season after I got home was my best in four years. I gained so much invaluable life experience and language skills. It was so worth it.
Review Photos
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Staff was super friendly and helpful and really interested in assisting us to enjoy our time in Argentina |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my home and my host family |
| * Food: |
My host mom was an excellent cook, and every restaurant we ate at was superb! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
So many great opportunities for integration! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Córdoba is a big city, so it's important to be aware of your surroundings at all times. That being said, there was never a time that me or my friends felt particularly unsafe even though we ventured all over the city. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This is a truly excellent study abroad program, particularly for students interested in an immersive experience. I had struggled to learn Spanish my whole life, even though I started learning in Kindergarten. I just could never get the hang of it. Living in the city of Córdoba, Argentina completely changed this. I saw astronomical improvement in my language skills and my appreciation for Latin American culture. This program gave me the opportunity to live with a wonderful, adoring host mom who was an amazing cook and wonderful, loving face to come home to every day. I made lifelong friends through this program, both in Argentina and within my group of American students. Even though we’re all from different states, we’re planning reunions as often as we can. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity and to have learned so much. |
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) |
If managed carefully, it was very easy to live on a budget |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | <$50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Your food is included in the program, so take advantage of that! Eating out all the time can get expensive |
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 |
This program is immersion-based, so we were rarely required to use English |
| 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? | 300 level |
| 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? | Join a club, a sports team, anything to get you interacting with people your own age using the language to do something you enjoy |
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? | Go out and take advantage of every opportunity. I know it's scary, but you can watch Netflix when you get home. Oh, and keep speaking Spanish! Never stop! |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
