La Vida es Buena!: Argentina, take me back! Past Review

By Natalie Y (Communication and Media Studies., University of Hartford) for

API (Academic Programs International): Buenos Aires - Universidad de Belgrano

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

YES. I can't even put into words how much I have gained from the experience. I have done things, seen things, and learned things that I never thought I would. I have grown so much.

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	I loved two of my four courses minus the intensive month of Spanish (the intensive month helped me immensely!) The grading system is on a scale of 0-10 and you need a 4 to pass. Getting a 6 in a difficult course is viewed as a job well done.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	The best part for me was that we were a small group and it felt like a family. If anyone in the group had a problem we were able to talk to the director without hesitation or delay. Other groups had over 100 people and barely knew their directors, a situation which, to me, is unpleasant.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I love my host family. They lived in Palermo two blocks from the subte and the main avenues. I did not have to buy anything in terms of my living arrangements and my host family treated me very well and helped me everyday to adjust to the language and the culture.
* Food:	The Argentine diet is largely based on meat and carbs. You can find vegetables everywhere but they are not found in many common dishes so you may want to buy them yourself... and join a gym.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	EVERYTHING was amazing. I had the best time.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	Before I left, people kept telling me how dangerous Buenos Aires could be. But honestly, like any other major city in the world, there will be crime. You just have to be smart about it and make sure that you do not let yourself be a target. Protect your belongings while walking and on public transportation and don't be the "Ugly American". People did not mind if we spoke English, just do not be obnoxious about it and try your hardest to speak Spanish when you can.
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?	It depends. The shopping is great in Argentina, especially with the exchange rate of $1: 4.25 pesos (roughly). Food was provided for me at home for dinner and lunch I bought daily either at the university or elsewhere, never spending more than the equivalent of $20 for anything.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Separate your money and do not exchange all of it at once. Exchange and spend on a need it basis. There are ATMs everywhere, but they will charge you about 16 pesos per transaction so if you are taking money from the ATM try to take the maximum (1,000 pesos is roughly USD$200) and then separate it when you get home.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?
Language acquisition improvement?	I practiced with my friends, my host family and I used the language every day and tried my best to interact with locals.

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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	Small size Not clique-y
* What could be improved?	Organization More trips
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Do it. You won't regret it. If you want a group that will know you personally, have a family feel and do amazing things, go.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	US/Latin American Relations
Course Department:
Instructor:	Claudio Chiaramonte
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The professor was generally dull and monotone, the course provided double the work than my other courses.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Political and Social Change
Course Department:
Instructor:	Claudio Chiaramonte
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The professor was generally dull and monotone, the course provided double the work than my other courses. Taking this course and US/Latin American Relations at the same time is a MISTAKE.
Credit Transfer Issues: