I think the original does the best job Past Review
By Zoe S (Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American/Chicano Studies., Brandeis University) for
CIEE: Buenos Aires - Summer Community Public Health
See above. I loved the program. The only hard part was studying during what in the US is summer. On the bright side, the program is only two months; most universities don't begin until end of August, early September leaving almost a month and a half of summer vacation.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | FLACSO, UNER |
| 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. |
As expected with any summer study abroad program, there was a lot to do and a short amount of time to do it. That being said, I believe everything was planned in a way that made learning manageable. I did not realize how much systems of education may differ from one institution to another, let alone from one country to another, so I was definitely shocked by some of the differences. For example, I am much more independent in my work and in my studies in my home institution than I found the system to be in Argentina, but again, I cannot speak for the country as a whole. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Better than I could have asked for. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
I do keep somewhat kosher which was at times challenging seeing as pork is a large part of the diet, but overall everyone was very accommodating. Argentina's diet in three categories: Carbs, meat, dulce de leche |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The soccer game the program took us to was a real eye opener into its importance culturally. As my friend on the program put it, "Soccer really is a religion here." |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Buenos Aires as a city can be dangerous as it is known for pickpocketing, but if you keep an eye on your belongings, stay out of bad areas at night, travel in groups, and don't draw too much attention to yourself (the obvious American look however is almost unavoidable) you should be fine. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? |
I spoke the language in the classroom, on the streets, and at home with my host families. All of the courses were taught in Spanish as well. |
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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | This program really allowed me to explore not just the big city life of Buenos Aires but the small rural life of Concepción del Uruguay as well. If you are looking for a progam where you actually learn and become a part of a different culture, this program is for you. That being said, this program is also what you make of it. If you go to class in the morning, come back at 5 or 6, and lock yourself in your room until dinner and don't get to know your family you will not gain anything. Get to know the city, walk around, talk to people. You'd be surprised at how much you can learn talking with your family in the afternoon when you get home from classes. |
