It's Argentina Past Review

By Thi L (Anthropology and History, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign) - abroad from 02/27/2015 to 06/19/2015 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

I learned so much about myself, how I get along with, and the type of environment I like to be surrounded by. I gained a better understanding for Latin American culture in relation to my ow . That was worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	I think I learn a lot about the social and cultural aspects of Latin America, especially Argentina. I was expecting a lot different from the university itself.... I was under the impression if would be an emersed studies abroad experience with locals and a city campus feel. However, it was all the study abroad students shoved into two floors of the university. It felt like highschool all over again. Some of the professors at the university just didn't care about the students, which was extremely annoying. The CEA advisors were awesome and made us feel welcomed. There were plenty of resources to help us settle into the city. It was a cool experience in total, but the Argentina university was not so great.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I lived in the residence. The residence had bad wifi, but that's not a huge issue. I had to share a room with three other roommates, which gave me no peace for the entire stay. The food was also not so great. Yet, it was nice living with people my age. The location was also perfect.
* Food:	Argentina in general had interesting food.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I felt accepted. At times, I felt out of place. Overall, I felt that I integrated with the locals and learned a lot!
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	I had no health issues.
* Safety:	The city is safe as long as you're smart. A lot of my friends got robbed, but that was because they weren't paying attention. I felt safe walking around the city at night by myself. Yet, I know many people who would say they never felt safe.
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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)	I feel like I could of lived on more of a budget, but I just spent a lot of money because I wanted to.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	50-100$
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	If you go to Argentina, bring all paper money. Don't buy clothes and things that you will never use.

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?	None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	4years of highschool French. During study abroad, I learned Spanish.
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans International Students
* 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?	The people
* What could be improved?	The university in Argentina
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	To bring cash money

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Tango: Nation, Identity, and Gender
Course Department:	Palas
Instructor:	Liria Evangilista
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	THIS CLASS WAS HORRIBLE. Our professor started off as a "cool" teacher by sitting on the desk and allowing us to say and do what we want. But then as the class progressed, we realized that she did not care about us. Teaching is a joke to her. The entire class seemed like a joke. She tried to act passionate about the subject, but she did not teach us anything. Most days she would play a movie. I learned more reading a Wikipedia article than her. She also had blatant favoritism. One day, she did not show up to class and did not send any emails explaining anything. I can't believe she teaches at the university... Almost everyone in BOTH of the classes she taught disliked her. She is an unfair and biased person. Completely unknowledgable and unprepared.
Credit Transfer Issues: