Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

My Experience in Buenos Aires, Argentina Past Review

By (Lyon College) - abroad from 06/23/2018 to 07/27/2018 with

Study Abroad Programs in Argentina

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained more knowledge of the Spanish language and the Argentine culture. I would definitely recommend it to others.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very welcoming and fun-loving. They always made it clear to us that they were available at anytime if we had issues or concerns.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Manageable, but I would recommend that Sol update host family information from time to time as well as provide more details (do they smoke/would you be sharing a room with another student/would students be expected to do their own laundry/etc.?)

* Food:

Breakfast was on me, lunch was eaten at my university and dinner was always provided unless I went out. Portions were small at times.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I became acquainted with many native Argentinians during my 5 weeks in Buenos Aires and feel that I now understand the culture and language better.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A

* Safety:

I was told many times to be cautious of thieves as it is a serious issue in Argentina, but thankfully, I had no such experience. The Sol directors gave us tips on how to avoid being cheated/robbed.

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

This was an unforgettable experience that I am grateful to have lived. I will likely return to Buenos Aires in the future.

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)

Everything was reasonably priced.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $90
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to avoid taking the taxi. Taxi drivers will notice your accent and will likely take you on longer paths than necessary without you noticing. If it is absolutely necessary that you take one, take a radio taxi.

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
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? SPN 385: Spanish Golden Age Literature
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? Practice having conversations with native speakers in your city.

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?
  • Exposure to the city
  • Field trips
  • Independence
* What could be improved?
  • Host family information
  • Weekly check-ups on students
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had brushed up on my knowledge of el voseo, which is very commonly used in Argentina. Also, learning Argentine slang could have helped me a lot during my first week (bondi = bus, subte = subway, etc.).

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 Linguist
You 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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Latin American Art
Course Department: Art
Instructor: María Filip and Georgina Gluzman
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: The lectures were clear, the field trips were interesting, and the workload was not too intense. Professors were also welcoming and insightful.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Latin American Culture and Civilization
Course Department: History
Instructor: Patricia Anderson
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: The professor was engaging and welcoming, the workload was not too intense, and the field trips were interesting. Students were always quick to participate during lectures.
Credit Transfer Issues: