A Full Immersion Past Review
By A student (High School) - abroad from 06/28/2016 to 07/25/2016 with
The Experiment in International Living - Extraordinary High School Summer Abroad Programs
I learned so much, including how to break down cultural barriers and really connect with others. I made lasting friendships and learned interesting cultural norms from Argentina and a lot of history about Argentina. The trip was absolutely worthwhile!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The Experiment matched students and their host families very well, and my family was amazing and caring. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
From the minute I got to Argentin we began to be fully immersed, starting with meals and being a part of the city life. In our home stays, we were fully immersed in the youths' way of life through our host siblings, and got to experience their day and night life including school and parties with friends. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
healthcare was easily accessible through my host family, and my group leader joined me to make sure I completely understood what I was being treated for and to help me communicate any medical conditions and my symptoms to the doctor. The doctor in Argentina was a family doctor with a similar office that my personal doctor has here in the U.S., and overall the experience was comfortable and easy. There were no prevalent health issues in Argentina, and only the basic vaccines required to travel outside of the U.S. were needed. |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The trip was a once in a lifetime experience that I wouldn't trade for the world! |
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) |
I brought plenty of money, but only really needed around $150. Anything over that was for extra gifts/souvenirs for family and friends. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $10 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make sure to buy and gifts/souvenirs outside of the big cities where prices tend to be much cheaper. |
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 |
The trip had a focus on language immersion. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 1 year of high school Spanish online. |
| 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? | Use apps/ online sites like duolingo to help with brushing up on your skills or learning the language from the beginning before you go on the trip, and study up on any basic phrases you might need! |
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? | The language immersion is a big deal, and I should have really brushed up on my Spanish skills before going so that communication would have been a bit easier. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
