Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best College Experience!! August 21, 2024

By (Teaching, Salem State University) - abroad from 02/12/2023 to 06/16/2023 with

Arcos Learning Abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina (University of Belgrano)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about myself and was able to try so many new things with people who were also open to different experiences. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and I felt I grew so much personally as well as in my Spanish skills which was a huge reason I wanted to study abroad.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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? Around $40-50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Research the inflation rate before going, and check daily for changes. Also, use western union for money transfers and get a credit/debit card beforehand that doesn't charge an international fee.

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? 301
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? Make Argentine friends and practice with your host family.

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The friends I made
  • Living in a new environment & culture
  • Learning tango
* What could be improved?
  • My host family wasn't the greatest.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't book your flight ticket home before you leave for the program. So many students stayed after their semester and traveled, or decided to stay another semester.

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 Urbanite
A 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.