Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Go for it! Past Review

By (Biology/Spanish, Wartburg College) - abroad from 02/21/2013 to 07/20/2013 with

CIEE: Buenos Aires - Liberal Arts

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This was one of the best experiences in my life, if not the best one. I would highly recommend it to anyone and I seriously think everyone should study abroad at least once while in college. I have new lifelong friends, am almost fluent in a second language, and have absolutely no fear or hesitance to go anywhere else in the world. You can figure anything out if you work hard enough.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any health issues, so I really have no idea.

* Safety:

Always take the cautious side of any situation. Unfortunately, in Buenos Aires theft and robberies "just happen" and there's nothing you just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. That being said, there are ALWAYS ways to be careful and prevent it from happening. Especially girls, be careful. Always.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

What I spent the most money on was traveling outside of the city. If I had stayed within the city the entire time it would have been very easy to hardly spend any money.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $75
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? at the beginning it's going to seem that you have tons of money and can buy whatever you want, take taxis all the time instead of public transport, go out and buy several drinks every night, etc. But it will run out! Budget your money out from the beginning and stick to it!

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? 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? I completed my Spanish capstone before coming to Argentina, which is a 400 level course at Wartburg.
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? GET ENGLISH OUT OF YOUR LIFE IMMEDIATELY! You seriously have to be one of those snobby kids at the beginning that refuses to hang out with people speaking English...

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • How CIEE set everything up to make it easier for us. Visa processes, mail instead of having to go pick it up at customs, etc. They had everything laid out for us which made adjusting to a new country a lot easier
  • How easy it is to contact people to help you.
  • Great staff!
* What could be improved?
  • Argentine language and history course IMMEDIATELY upon arrival
  • better printers...
  • being a requirement to speak Spanish. With a grade or credit value being reflected if that doesn't happen.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The differences of Argentine grammar, more of Argentine history, how to use the public transport system. (that last one can only be learned through trial and error :) )

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.'