Argentina--my home in another language Past Review
By Juliane H (Biology and Spanish, Wartburg College) for
SSA Education Abroad: Córdoba - Semester, Year or Summer in Argentina
My study abroad experience was DEFINITELY worthwhile.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad Nacional de Córdoba |
| 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. |
The courses I took were very easy, but that was not a bad thing. I thought that the easier course load provided many opportunities to explore the community and learn outside the classroom. The grading system was fine, and the professors overall were excellent. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on-site directors were excellent and very helpful. They were always available and helped with academic issues as well as issues with host families and in the community. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was great and very helpful throughout the entire experience. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My program did a great job of offering opportunities for students to become involved in the community. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The city was very safe, but we discussed safety and health issues in orientation. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 (US)/week. Budget $20 for transportation and $30 for food, going out, and personal expenses. Budget more for travel around the country if that is a priority. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would recommend bringing 2 credit or debit cards to use at ATM´s and using one only in emergencies. I had one card "eaten" by an ATM and was glad to have an extra. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 300-level (Junior level, topic-based courses) |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I tried to speak 100 percent Spanish. With my host family, this came naturally because English was not spoken in the home. In the community I always used Spanish. With other students in the program, I found it difficult to find students who wanted to speak Spanish only; most spoke English when not in class. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Studying in Argentina was the best decision I have ever made for myself. Learning and mastering a foreign language is a valuable skill, and the best way to do that is to live, hear, speak, and think that language 24/7. In the last six months, I have grown academically, become more independent, and learned how to view myself and the world from another hemisphere. |
