Find Your Own Opportunities in Buenos Aires Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Overall, the coursework at the CEA Center in Buenos Aires was pretty easy. I mostly completed my assignments the day they were assigned and I did not stress about staying up late to finish a mountain of homework assignments. Rather than spending my free time watching Netflix or sleeping, I took advantage of the lack of relaxed academic environment by filling my free time with other activities. I was able to volunteer with a homeless shelter during the weekday evenings and pickup a part-time internship while studying abroad. I know some students complained that their courses were too easy, but I found a way to be productive with my free time.

On-site administration of your program

I thought the CEA staff at the Buenos Aires Center were extremely friendly. I loved talking to the three people that worked in the center and I felt like they genuinely cared about me.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my homestay. My host-mother was wonderful and I was located in a beautiful part of the city. I loved my living arrangement, but I know that other students were with host-mothers that kept a dirty house and did not cook very well. I cannot speak on behalf of their situations, but a fair percentage of students in the program had their own housing issues.

I thought my host-mother was a great cook. She tried to be healthy, so most of our dinners consisted of a mix of salads with rice or vegetable dishes. My roommate was a vegetarian and our host-mother was extremely accommodating.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I met friends while traveling, but I wish I had the chance to make friends with more people from Buenos Aires. Since the CEA Center in Buenos Aires is for American students, it is challenging to get out of the American bubble. Although I only had three friends that were native to Buenos Aires, most of the other students in my program said that I was the one who was the most social with locals. I wish the CEA staff had better suggestions for ways to me locals.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have to go see a doctor during my study abroad, but I heard that there is an issue with insurance. The student insurance will cover some costs, but not others. When my friends had to see a doctor the CEA staff told them that they would have to the hospital get the bill, and afterwards see if the student insurance would cover the cost. If the insurance would not cover it, students had to pay the fee. I wish CEA had a list of what things are or are not covered.

Buenos Aires is an extremely safe city. Just like any other major American city, there are "good" areas and "bad" areas. Since the night life here runs extremely late (people typically go out around 1am and return home at 7am), I always felt safe walking alone at night.

I loved Buenos Aires and I though this was a wonderful city to study abroad in. However, if I could do it over again I would have signed up for an immersive program at a local university. Going to school with only Americans made it a lot harder to continually practice Spanish and make friends with locals. Although my Spanish improved, it would have improved at a much faster rate if I forced myself to be in a Spanish-only environment.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Unlike other countries in Latin America, the prices in Buenos Aires are very similar to any other major American city. I managed my budget and spent about $50 a week, however I know most students spent about $150-$250 a week.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

The CEA Staff seemed impressed if students could talk for a few sentences in Spanish. I wish the staff pushed us to really learn the language. My skills improved, but I also found additional opportunities outside of my time spent in CEA. If I am paying to study abroad with CEA, this program should have been my number one resource for practicing.

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• Host Family

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• Americans
• Host Family

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• Americans

• The City
• The Friendliness of the Locals
• The Nightlife

• Staff could push students to practice Spanish
• Staff could host events with locals and students
• Classrooms could be more organized

The Academic or Linguist