Buenos Aires: When Can I Go Back? Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I had homework to do outside of class, but it wasn't to demanding. There was plenty of time to explore, and I hardly ever had to worry about big projects or tests over the weekend. The grading system seemed a little strange at first, but it was easy to get used to it, and actually was skewed in our favor compare do the U.S. grading system. The differences that I noticed were that students seemed to participate more. I only took one class with natives, and they were a lot chattier than people in my classes at home. There's a tendency for professors to read your grades on a test out loud in front of the whole class, so make sure it's something you wouldn't mind everyone to know about!

On-site administration of your program

The program coordinators in Buenos Aires were all extremely helpful and personable. I still email them from time to time for help with things related to my experience in Argentina. They were timely with their answers to questions, and if they didn't know an answer, they would direct me to someone who would. I was surprised that they were so quick given the way timing and schedules work in South America!

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My housing choice was an option through CEA that cost the same as living in a homestay. I lived in a residencia, which was kind of a hybrid of a homestay and a small dorm. There were about 15 other American students living with me and our Argentine host mother in a house. We definitely lucked out on location; we lived in one of the nicest neighborhoods in the city near all of the big weekend spots. It only took me about 15 or 20 minutes to get to class by bus each day. Personally, I didn't buy any extra items to add to our "home experience". Some of my housemates bought small cookware items to make food on weekends since we were given meals during the week. Overall, I absolutely loved my host mom. She was definitely a character! At times, I think the business aspect of the situation took over how she made decisions, but she was very helpful, a fabulous cook, and a good person to go to when you wanted more Spanish practice.

I had a vegetarian friend who traveled with me. She didn't have too many problems finding vegetarian food in the city. There were actually a few great vegetarian restaurants we tried out! I'd highly recommend bBlue in Palermo. I actually became a vegetarian in Buenos Aires, which seems completely insane to do in the Land of Steaks, but my host mom's vegetarian cooking always looked way better, and I was sick of eating ham and cheese on everything. Spinach, corn, and caprese empanadas are the way to go! If you're a big Mexican food fan, like I am, beware that Argentina IS NOT MEXICO. The food is very Italian: carb-heavy, cheesy, kind of bland. I went through salsa withdrawals. There are good Mexican restaurants to try to combat this feeling! Cielito Lindo and Veracruz in Palermo Soho are both really good places. Cafteria food in la Universidad de Belgrano was always decent, too.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My absolute favorite trips were the ones that CEA organized. We spent a weekend in the Mendoza province, which was absolutely gorgeous. It was really nice to get out of the city for a while and enjoy nature. We also went to Iguazu Falls. Every stop we made along the way of that trip was great! We had half a day at an estancia full of good food and a lot of relaxing. The indigenous ruins a little further along the way were a little spooky but extremely interesting to learn about. Of course, Iguazu was the best part. Our hotel was amazing, our day seeing the waterfalls was mind-blowing; I just can't complain about any of those trips. Besides that, I went on my own trip to Mar del Plata. If it hadn't rained, it would've been a lot nicer trip. There are ALWAYS festivals and cultural activities going on in Buenos Aires. It's just a matter of finding and going to them all! BAFICI, an independent film festival, was going on while I was in BsAs. I only made it to a few movies, but I loved the idea. ArteBA and la Feria de los Libros were also really interesting exhibitions that I checked out. Buenos Aires really knows how to show off and support its artists.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Like in any major city, you need to be very aware of your surroundings, keep your things closed and close to you, and never put yourself in a dangerous situation. There was one instance where I was on the subte (underground train system) when it was extremely packed, as usual, and a kid was standing really close to me. I thought he was getting off at the next stop, so I wasn't bothered by how close he was. Thankfully, a friend who was with me noticed that he had unsnapped the front of my purse and was trying to reach inside before he could grab anything. I only personally knew two other people who had things taken from their person, but both had been walking alone late at night. Don't do that! Another girl was robbed in her homestay, which is a sad truth about Buenos Aires. Keep your things locked up at all times, and never leave ANYTHING laying around! Be smart. As for the health system, I did have to make one appointment to see a dermatologist. I went to the German Hospital, which was an easy subte ride. Making the appointment was kind of a pain since I tried finding an English-speaker on the phone. I should've just sucked it up and done it in Spanish. My appointment at the hospital was really quick, I got a prescription I needed without any problems, and filling it was surprisingly easy. CEA gives you a health insurance plan that will reimburse you for things like this, but I didn't feel like going through the paperwork for my bill that was less than $100.

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

I spoke Spanish every single day. Once in a while, younger people would want to "practice their English" and speak English to you, but in everyday interactions, Spanish was used. All of my professors spoke exclusively Spanish. The only times I wasn't use were when I was in my residencia. A house full of students from the U.S. is not the ideal place to practice your language skills.

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• Other

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• Americans

• Group excursions
• The city!
• Food at my residencia

• Trip-planning support
• Language-learning sources included in program