Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I made many close friends and my spanish improved greatly. Past Review

By (Spanish Secondary Education, University of Nebraska- Lincoln) - abroad from 01/31/2013 to 05/05/2013 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Buenos Aires, Argentina

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My spanish improved greatly and I feel more confident when speaking. I feel like I have to ability to speak with anyone I would ever need to.

Review Photos

CEA Global Education: Buenos Aires, Argentina Photo CEA Global Education: Buenos Aires, Argentina Photo CEA Global Education: Buenos Aires, Argentina Photo

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?

Absolutely loved my host mom. She was fantastic and I learned so much spanish from here. I had a crappy roommate and we did not get along what so ever. If it wasn't for her I would have moved out to another home stay.

* Food:

My host mom was an excellent cook. She always gave me new food each night and never left overs.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Not that this is the programs fault but I learned very quickly that Buenos Aires has a lot of theft. So I had to adjust to that and be more careful with my belongings in public and although I never had anything stolen, several of my friends did.

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? $50-75 per week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I used a business called Xoom, I believe they are world wide. They give great exchange rates for students studying abroad which made staying on budget very easy.

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? 204 Intensive writing
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? Its better to try to speak spanish and piece together sentences slowly than not at all.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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?
  • The trip to Iguazu falls was amazing.
  • The CEA leaders were very personable and awesome to be with.
  • My host mom Susana Moreno was fantastic and the best host mom I could have asked for.
* What could be improved?
  • More scheduled times to meet locals through CEA.
  • More planned activities in the beginning of arrival so that students have to opportunity to make friends from the start.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't let someone or something stand in the way of your desire to learn spanish. I focused too much on trying not to look stupid when I spoke spanish instead of just going out there and trying to do my best.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!