The best experience of my life Past Review
By Mackenzie Jacobs (Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) - abroad from 01/31/2018 to 05/26/2018 with
API (Academic Programs International): Mendoza - Universidad de Congreso
I learned people are all alike. Yes, we have differences in appearances, but overall people just want others to be nice and to be loved. I also learned much more Spanish
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. |
I learned a ton and the coursework was not too hard. I had to write papers and bring supplies to class, but there were no tests! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone was very friendly and most of them spoke English; however, it took a long time to get things done. It was a lot of hurry up and wait. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was amazing! I still keep in touch with them and miss them very much. I would never chose to live any where else, but my house was about 50 min away from school which made for very long days sometimes. |
| * Food: |
I was expecting the food to be flavorful and even spicey, but it was neither of those things, but I did look forward to Sunday asado's (bbq's) every week!! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Since I lived with a host family, I was able to participate in many local things, like, food market, living, neighborhood friends, and local customs and clothing. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was sick a lot of the time I was in Argentina. I'm prone to get strep throat in the fall and with being there during there fall it was inevitable. Luckily, getting in and out of the doctor was easy and I never had to pay a dime because health care is free. |
| * Safety: |
The only time I felt like there could be a danger, was when I was walking home after going to the bar/club, but I would feel that sense of uneasiness anywhere. During the day I never felt scared and always felt safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
API was very helpful and it was nice having a director/advisor in the country with me. When/if I needed anything he was there to assist. |
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 spent way less money per week than I do at Oklahoma State University. Because I went Affiliated Approved, I rarely spent money on food, and transportation was between $10 and $15 a week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | My average cost/week was around $40-50, if not less |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Go out with your friends for dinner or drinks, but don't make a habit of it! There are lots of fun things to do with friends that are free or cheap, cheap. For example, bike rides, mate (tea) time, soccer in the park, picnic, etc. |
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 |
I wish my classes would have been taught in more Spanish. Unfortunately, my classes were with only students from the United States and there were only 7 of us. I took a Spanish class and had Human Rights in Spanish, but other than that it was not encouraged much in the classroom |
| 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? | Intermediate Spanish |
| 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? | GET TO KNOW LOCAL PEOPLE! |
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 I could have switched classes one I arrived. The program put together classes, but I would've switched out of those and into some local classes. |
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.' |
