Buenos Aires: The Place to Meet Americans Past Review
By Sarah C (Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida) for
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Buenos Aires, Argentina
I learned a lot, but most of what I learned came from when I traveled around before and after my program. Being there was not the best because Argentinians are difficult to befriend and there is no support from the program provider or the university to facilitate this. I learned a lot of Spanish which was good, but it made me appreciate the USA. I will definitely be traveling much more in the future though.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Overall the classes were not challenging and were geared toward international students. I didn't feel like I really experienced how Argentinians studied or went to school because the courses were so modified to make it comfortable for foreign students. The teachers were nice, but I wish I had had a more authentic experience. The university was horrible as far as integrating students and encouraging involvement. There were no clubs or student groups, very few sports groups, and no such things as mentors or language partners. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was good and the staff was really helpful, but I was looking for more interaction with students from the host country. I wish the on-site team made some kind of host country buddy program for incoming exchange students or at least helped arrange conversation partners. I didn't make any friends from Argentina but I did meet lots of Americans. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I found my apartment on facebook, but I also looked on Craigs List Buenos Aires and a million other housing websites. I lived in a temporary homestay and hostels for several weeks. |
| * Food: |
The food is delicious, but only for about one week because there is no variety. You eat the same 4 things pretty much everyday and it got pretty boring. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The things our program planned for us were nice, but as I said, no interaction with people from that country. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
You just have to be smart about it. Don't dress in flashy clothes and jewelry and know where your wallet is at all times. Healthcare was pretty good too and the insurance covered everything. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Everyone in the classes were from the US pretty much and they all spoke to each other in English even though the class was taught in Spanish. It definitely defeated the purpose of studying abroad. My roommates were also exchange students, but our only common language was Spanish. I also don't know if many people there speak English because everywhere I went I just spoke Spanish. |
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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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? | Pick a different university. Look in to the University of Buenos Aires, it's highly respected, many many people go there, and it's FREE! |
