Self-Discovery in Buenos Aires Past Review
By Chase McCoy (Berea College) - abroad from 01/25/2019 to 07/20/2019 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Buenos Aires, Argentina
I gained Spanish skills by simply being in the city and doing things that I needed to do to survive, such as walking around, speaking to locals, and doing chores. I also felt excluded form the CEA program because they mainly focused on the students that were in the CEA center and excluded the students at the university.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The entirety of the University of Belgrano was a waste of time. Setting cultural differences aside, the University of Belgrano has very backwards policies when it comes to learning that can be seen as very difficult when coming from the American educational system. The university does not offer room for asking questions, intuition, or creativity. There are no times to talk to your professor before or after class, as they do not have office hours. There also is no homework whatsoever; everything about this school is purely lecture-based. The content itself was ridiculously easy and requires no effort. Most of the time, I found myself disengaged and bored, as I was unchallenged. Had I of known that the university was like this, I would have changed programs, without a doubt. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The CEA staff is always willing to listen and correct whatever need arises with compassion, understanding, and care. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had an overall okay time with my housing arrangement, but I often felt belittled by some of the family members in the house, as they spoke in a condescending manner. My Spanish skills did not improve by staying at the home, which was the main reason I wanted a homestay. After reflecting, I wish I could have stayed in independent housing. |
| * Food: |
The food at the homestay was excellent. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Healthcare was easily accessible and free, and the wait times are very short. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe overall, mainly because I am a tall, intimidating man. But, I was often targeted for being North American, and some people wanted to follow me and beg me for money or take my things. It is not uncommon for people to get robbed, and armed robberies often happened, too. If travelers to Buenos Aires kept to themselves, didn't appear like a tourist, and hide all valuables when out in public, there should not be any problems. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
Frankly, the university experience wasn't worth a single dime nor a minute of my time, and the home stay did not improve my language skills, and I was uncomfortable during most of the home stay. |
Finances
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* 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) |
The financial crisis happening now in the country made it difficult to buy what I needed. Serious financial planning was an integral part of my daily life in Buenos Aires. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't spend every week at the club or bar. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
My Spanish improved significantly. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| 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? | Speak. Speak. Speak. Try to limit the amount of English-speaking friends while abroad, so make many local friends who speak the language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That the university life would be a waste of time. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
