An experience with a whole lot of consiousness of self. Past Review
By A student (Cottey College) - abroad from 03/05/2018 to 07/13/2018 with
Universidad de San Andrés: Buenos Aires - Latin American Studies
It was worthwhile because I learned more about Latin-American history. That is a subject that is not taught much here in the States.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The overall experience was interesting and a learning one. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrators seem caring. They helped students with homesickness and counseling. I did not take advantage because I wanted to do it on my own. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My habits did not correlate with theirs. My habits come from a mixture of Hispanic and Millennial-American. I do need to develop more of my leadership than my cultural skills. |
| * Food: |
Inflation was happening in Argentina and I let my worrisome prevent me from buying food and settle with the meals I had available. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Since was raised in a Christian (Pentecostal-Evangelical to be precise) community and home, some of my values did not connect with other students on campus. They were less open and it is culturally understandable. However, the church I attended were more welcoming and caring. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
It was interesting that a physical exam was free because of the $400 insurance plan for the whole semester. I had to get an exam in order to join and play with the soccer team. |
| * Safety: |
Since I would leave church a little after 12am, I stayed around busy streets waiting for the bus then walk 10 mins to get home. I did this every Saturday night and every night I arrived safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I think I will take classes I want to take a not the ones that are required. I like independent study more. |
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) |
Inflation was the issue and meal times with host parents was also an issue. I am use to eating whenever. Since I did not want to disturb, I did not spend on food much - maybe a little less than $10 per week. On weekends, $20 because I would travel to the city for church. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Every week I would spend $10 on food |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I set a goal on how much I wanted to spend on that week. It was usually $40. |
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 |
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| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Comparative Relgions |
| 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? | Reading and Communication only in Spanish helps. Also, try not to translate in your head. When speaking Spanish, think in Spanish only. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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? | I wish I would have known more information about the country beforehand, I settle with the little information I knew. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
