Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Buenos Aires in a Nutshell! Past Review

By (Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management, University of Wisconsin - Stout) - abroad from 05/23/2013 to 06/22/2013 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Buenos Aires, Argentina

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Study abroad has really opened my eyes on how to live and what's important in life. I was able to absorb as much as possible about another culture as well as enjoy myself and see many things here in Argentina! It was one of the best experiences of my life, I can't wait to come back!

Review Photos

CEA Global Education: Buenos Aires, Argentina Photo CEA Global Education: Buenos Aires, Argentina Photo 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? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It was a lot of education in one month, but I wouldn't have wanted it any other way! Every excursion we went on was very educational and fun at the same time! The CEA staff was wonderful at teaching.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Every day the staff was here for us to ask questions and help us whenever we needed.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Our host mother was perfect, even when she wasn't supposed to have a meal for us there was always food. She lived in a great, safe location that was close to many things.

* Food:

Different than I had expected, but still very good!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

At first it was difficult, Castellano is much harder to understand than I had anticipated, but after a week I felt much more comfortable. The people of Argentina were very welcoming!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I personally didn't have any health care issues while being here, but another person did and everything was taken care of right away.

* Safety:

All of the programs that the University took us on were very safe and I felt extremely comfortable.

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)

I like to shop, so my money seemed to go quickly! But food and transportation are very cheap!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Use pesos and go through Xoom instead of using an ATM, you get a much better transfer rate!

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? Spanish 227
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Watch movies from Argentina and other Castellano speaking countries, it helps you become more aware of the differences there are in the language.

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?
  • Excursions
  • Wine tours in Mendoza
  • Improving my Spanish
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Pack lightly because you're going to go home with a lot of gifts!

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.