Argentina: It changed my outlook in life Past Review

By (International Relations and Affairs., Austin College) for

SSA Education Abroad: Córdoba - Semester, Year or Summer in Argentina

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was VERY worthwhile because I was able to become fluent in spanish all the while enjoying living in a foreign country. I don't know as of yet how much I have changed or if my academic interest have changed, all I know is that I feel different, but a good different.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Strengths: the director was really hand on and helped us when we needed. The best thing about the program was that we learned from local professors. With them we were able to explore more of the host country because they explained in details what was their culture and how they did things. It was great. Weakness: I had a problem with the speaking partners. Most of them either didn't show up or we never met them, and the ones that we did meet, were all AWOL. They had to focus more on that and try to get better.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

It is safe if you are always in a group, and one must remember that. When I was walking home one night, two man in a motorcycle grabbed me and stole my purse with everything in it. So safe to say, I was really freaked out until the end of the trip.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? around 400 pesos a week or 2. Depends on what you do.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? The immigration expenses and the material for the classes. We weren't aware of how much everything would actually cost, and so we didn't budget that in.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 350
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

With my host family and with the new friends I acquired during the trip.

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

  • International Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Just open yourself up to new experiences and I guarantee you will have the time of your life.