Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Argentina: Nothing Makes Sense (In A Good Way) Past Review

By (International Studies, Economics, University of California - Irvine) for

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The courses are really unstructured and the material that is taught does not compare to the American educational system. The information that is taught is really basic and repetitive, and most of the material that is described in the course description does not match up. I understand that being abroad does mean experiencing the country other than academics, so I appreciate that there isn't a rigorous workload in school. Also, I would like the program more if we actually had a parter campus, not just the 2nd floor of a random building with only 2 classrooms and 1 lounge room.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Strengths: awesome and really helpful staff, my house mom, and all the excursions we take Weaknesses: structure, clarity of program information and housing situation, course descriptions and outline

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I only like my residencia because of my house mom, Elda, who cooks amazing food and is a phenomenal person in general. Also, I like the people that I am living with but 16 people to a small house is not what I expected. A staple for a college student is a bed (NOT a bunk bed) and a desk, and we have neither of those. Also, there was a problem with bed bugs and mosquitoes that was barely handled.

* Food:

Elda's cooking is absolutely phenomenal. No complaints.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Iguazu Falls and Colonia were my two favorite excursions provided by the program. Iguazu was breathtaking and I'm glad we went as a whole group.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Argentina isn't a safe city, but like any other country's aside from home, you must be careful of your belongings.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

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?

Since I live in a 16 American residencia, all I speak is English. I am only able to speak spanish if I really try when I go out.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Elda, my house mom
  • Buenos Aires
* What could be improved?
  • Courses
  • My "campus"
  • CEA as a whole
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Research your program and institution as much as possible.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

The Culture of Food and Wine in Argentina
Course Department: CUL340EZE
Instructor: Jeannine Facht
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I was really disappointed in this class. The description makes it sound like we would go on food tours, eat amazing food, and experience food culture to the fullest. However, we have only gone on 1 field trip and the food that is brought to class is super basic that anyone can buy at a small store around the corner street. The information that is taught is also repetitive, and the course work does not make sense. We have to sit and listen to the professor's lecture for an hour and 15 minutes, then repeat everything on a powerpoint project and present it to the class. This does not encourage learning at all--it is just repeating useless information. However, the teacher is nice.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Latin American Business Environments: The Case of Argentina
Course Department: BUS310
Instructor: Ileana Ayos
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This is probably one of the better classes in my program. The instructor is very approachable and encourages class participation. The workload is not too difficult, and I have learned a little about Latin American business environments. The field trip was also very interesting, and I enjoyed it.
Credit Transfer Issues: Make sure the schedule that is on the website does not change. I had trouble trying to get this course approved because it was not on the schedule that was posted online--it showed up only a fews weeks before school started. Also, enrollment should be a few months before the start program date instead of a few weeks before.
Course Name/Rating:

Gay Buenos Aires
Course Department: GEN331
Instructor: Wendy Gosselinn
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course description doesn't match what is actually taught in class. I thought we would be learning about the gay culture in Buenos Aires, but the topics that have been introduced are: Eva Peron, women activism, tango, masculinity, etc. and not a lot about the gay culture. I do, however, enjoy the professor and the field trips that we take as a class. She is a great person but this class should not be called Gay Buenos Aires, more like Gender Studies in Buenos Aires.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

International Marketing

Course Department: MKT320
Instructor: Paula Judkin
Instruction Language: Broken English
Comments: One of my least favorite classes. The instructor is a great person in general, but it is really difficult to understand her broken spanish. Also, I have not learned anything about international marketing as all the information that is taught is just common sense.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Advanced Spanish
Course Department: SPN301-A
Instructor: Jose Maria Romero
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: The professor speaks English and Spanish really well, but I wish he encouraged speaking more. This class really did help my listening and Spanish skills, so I am not complaining.
Credit Transfer Issues: Try to take the placement test before so I can know which level I will be placed in, to get the course approved by my home institution. I don't know if I will even get credit for this course because I was placed into this class 2 weeks after the program started and now it is too late to get it approved.