La Vida Loca! An unforgettable experience with an unforgettable culture! Past Review
By Sophia G (PSYCHOLOGY., Carnegie Mellon University) - abroad from 06/18/2014 to 08/03/2014 with
CIEE: Buenos Aires - Summer Spanish Language Program
My experience abroad was incredible and life-changing. I would probably say that it was the best 6 1/2 weeks of my life. The Argentine culture is amazing and unlike anything I'd ever experienced before. It is a culture full of life and excitement and open-mindedness. The Argentine people are warm, friendly and welcoming, and there was never a dull moment. There is a place for everyone here, especially for those who enjoy going out and exploring the city. The city of Buenos Aires is full of endless places to explore, landmarks to see, and events to go to. There is a vibrant night life and social scene. I feel like I spent 6 weeks exploring everything and going and going nonstop and probably only experienced a small piece of what Argentina is. This experience will definitely stay with me forever; I'd say going on this study abroad program was one of the best decisions I've ever made!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academics on this program were laid-back, without much work outside of class. However, classes did go for 5 hours a day, from 10-12:30 in the morning and 2-4:30 in the afternoon, which was a lot of class time but made sense for the fact that it is an intensive language program. We had cultural excursions twice a week instead of class and many random days off for holidays, so we always had breaks from class which was a great part of the program. The last week and a half of final exams were much more rigorous than the rest of the program, but overall the academics were not very intense. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was great!! All of the professors and administrators were helpful and approachable. We were all on very friendly terms with the professors. When I got sick the first week there, the administration took care of everything, brought me to a clinic, etc. which was very helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host mom during my stay. The best host family experiences seemed to be those with families with little kids. Living with a host family was a great experience and very helpful in learning the language. |
| * Food: |
The diet in Argentina is very meat-based, so there are not many options for those with dietary restrictions. I am vegan and found there to be almost no vegan options, but the quality of food was good, even if it wasn't catered to being vegan. However, the administration was very helpful in helping me find vegan options! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated! We had cultural excursions into different parts of the city during the week, which was very helpful. The Argentine people are extremely friendly and welcoming and loved talking with me and other study abroad students. The social and night life is incredibly active, so I was constantly surrounded by and having conversations with locals nonstop. The host family was also very helpful in feeling integrated! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got sick the first week I got to Argentina, and the administration was very helpful in getting me to a clinic right away. There are free clinics all over the place; however the healthcare itself was not to the quality I was used to in the states, since you have to wait a few hours to see a doctor and it is not a very in-depth check-up. |
| * Safety: |
Buenos Aires is like any big city- it is a very urban environment in which you are constantly surrounded by people. It is important to remain aware of your surroundings, especially at night. I'd say that the city is safe enough as long as you make sure to hold your bag close to you; pick-pocketing is common in Buenos Aires. Also make sure not to walk home alone at night. |
| 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) |
It really depended on your social life- going out to clubs and bars definitely takes a toll on money-spending, as well as going to all of the many events around the city. Taking cabs a lot also really added up. But almost everything, expect for clothing, is way way cheaper in Buenos Aires than in the US. A meal can be often bought for only $3 or $4 dollars. So if you're smart about money and make a budget early on, it is possible to not spend too much money. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably average of $100/week..towards the end I had it down to about $70/week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Learn how to use the subway and city bus systems!!! This is by far the most important tip for saving money. I was taking a cab somewhere at least once a day for most of the program and this added up to me spending a ton of money. |
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 |
I used Spanish constantly! |
| 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? | 300-level spanish |
| 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? | Talk to the locals!! It is easy to hang out with the other foreign students and talk English, but if you push yourself to hang out with locals and talk Spanish with everyone, even cab drivers, you'll improve a lot. Also talk to your host family as much as possible. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | I wish I'd known that summer in Argentina is actually their winter- it was colder than I was expecting (between 35 and 60 degrees F). I also wish I'd had more street smarts before going on the program- I didn't realize Buenos Aires was such a bustling, urban city. This was a big adjustment for me since I've never lived in the heart of a city like that. I didn't really have any expectations before going, which I think is the best way to go- just jump! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
