The Buenos Aires Experience: A Semester of Adventure Past Review
By Erin D (Urban Studies/Affairs., Trinity University) for
IES Abroad: Buenos Aires - Society & Culture
This was an absolutely worthwhile experience. I gained an understanding of different people most importantly, and how interactions have the potential to affect your life forever if that is something that you seek. I feel like I am much more sensitive to cultural issues in the US now because I was able to see my home country through the eyes of an outsider looking in. I think this was extremely beneficial because this insight has given me a new passion for social justice and I cannot wait to continue to pursue that in the future!
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. |
I really appreciated the emphasis on Spanish, but I definitely noticed important differences between teaching styles of the two countries. Argentina was frustratingly lax and disorganized at times, but overall I was pleased that I was being challenged well while I was abroad! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My program was amazing with me. I had a very rough end to my semester and I will never forget the support they provided me. I am truly grateful for the people that helped me and I feel like that experience with them taught me more about the kind of person I hope to be. The program as a whole was extremely efficient, but the academic side was a little lacking. I enjoyed the size of my program because there was a diverse grouping of people involved and was similar to a normal college experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host family and I think that they were my most influential factor in study abroad. They were kind, patient, challenging, and available for me and they really accepted me into their home. |
| * Food: |
I enjoyed the farmer's markets, but the cafes and restaurants were amazing as well! You will find your favorite local spots, but the sushi in BA is surprisingly delicious. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved our trips at the beginning of the program and how they eased us into society |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Health care in Buenos Aires is great, and there are few issues with public health that students need to worry about. However petty theft is rampant and most people in my program got robbed, some more than once. However, violent crime was extremely rare. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 400 pesos, or around 50 dollars for food, transportation, and communication. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I did not know that I would need to buy minutes for my phone as I needed them. That was an extra expense that I didn't anticipate. Also transportation really adds up especially for cabs. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
HOST FAMILY!!! Yes I needed to use the language everyday and I am convinced that that is why I improved so much and most people did not speak English. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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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 would tell future students to be extremely open and willing to try new things and meet challenges bravely. Study abroad can be really really difficult, but there is no way that I would value my experience so highly if there was no hardship whatsoever. For this program in particular, use the resources available to you at the center and invest in friendships both in and outside the program. The city is spectacular and so are the people, so I would say try not to create a bubble for yourself. The adventure is in the exploration! Live the nightlife but also the history, culture, and community of Buenos Aires. This program would be particularly good for students who really want to improve their language skills in a variety of settings and who want support from a program as well as the freedom to explore independently. |
