If you're looking for a REAL study abroad experience, go to BA Past Review

By (Telecommunications Management., Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 01/22/2012 to 05/05/2012 with

University of Minnesota: Study Abroad in Buenos Aires

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It's hard to really explain what I gained, but I know that I am a better person. I am more accepting, more cultured, and I feel like I have grown up about 10 years! It was so worthwhile.... it was the perfect amount of time and I can't wait to go back in the future.

Review Photos

University of Minnesota: Buenos Aires - Language & Culture in Buenos Aires, Argentina Photo University of Minnesota: Buenos Aires - Language & Culture in Buenos Aires, Argentina Photo University of Minnesota: Buenos Aires - Language & Culture in Buenos Aires, Argentina Photo

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Fundacion Ortega y Gasset
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.

Perfect balance of school and social life

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

program leaders are too amazing.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Lived with a host family--they were perfect.

* Food:

AMAZING AND CHEAP! The best steak youve ever had at a restaurant for 5$ us dollars.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Extremely. Studying in BA, you don't feel like a tourist AT ALL. You get by using broken spanish or sign language if you know none, until you learn their Spanish language.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Its a big city, but we were told how to stay safe.

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)

very easy!!! The only expensive thing was travelling.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50$ per week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? go to argentina.....

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? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? s280
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? You don't need to, once you go you will learn extremely fast just from living in it!

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?
  • It was small, our program of 18 was like a family, including the leaders
  • We got to go on excursions around BA and to Uruguay
  • Classes had 3-4 students which made the learning a lot more personal and way easier.
* What could be improved?
  • A little more structure
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That it is better than the others!