Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Bold and Beautiful Buenos Aires Past Review

By (Spanish Language & Lierature, Northern Illinois University) - abroad from 01/31/2013 to 06/21/2013 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Buenos Aires, Argentina

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I'm a strong believer that study abroad teaches you more in one semester than you could learn in 4 years of college classes at your home institute. You learn about yourself, the world around you, other cultures, people, beliefs, etc. It's absolutely one of the best chances you have as an undergrad.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I'm so thankful to all of the CEA staff here in Buenos Aires. Nahuel, our camps life assistant, was an incredible resource to have here in BA. He was happy to answer any and all questions I had about the culture here.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

CEA offered the option to have apartment stays instead of living with a family. I really enjoyed the freedom this offered me, however I found that I spoke way too much English as my roommates were also American. It'd be really great if there was an option to live with other porteños your age in an apartment so that you still had the freedom an apartment offers but also the cultural immersion.

* Food:

N/A - I cooked for myself as I stayed in independent housing.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Once here the staff was very helpful to answer any questions I had about health issues. I didn't think to ask beforehand if certain things were necessary but my doctor recommended I get a handful of vaccines before coming here.

* Safety:

Buenos Aires is the capital city of Argentina. As with any big city, American or otherwise, extra caution has to be taken when walking alone or around at night etc. That being said, I was always aware of my surroundings and I never felt unsafe walking alone.

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)

In independent housing you don't have a meal plan so I had to purchase every meal. However the exchange rate is definitely in our favor with USD so it was actually cheaper to eat here than in the states.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 400 pesos

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? 400 level literature courses
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? Refuse to speak English. To anyone.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Living in the capital city
  • Program Advisors here in BA (Nahuel!)
  • Apartment housing option
* What could be improved?
  • Apartment housing option with locals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing, I already studied abroad the year before I came here so I had a pretty good understanding how the process would be.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.