El mejor lugar en el mundo Past Review
By A student (PSYCHOLOGY., Trinity University) - abroad from 07/27/2013 to 11/22/2013 with
IES Abroad: Buenos Aires - Society & Culture
It is hard to sum up what I learned in words. I learned about different cultures and different ways of life. I learned how to go with the flow and really enjoy everything. I learned how to plan and travel places I had never imagined going (try sitting in a boat in the middle of Patagonia with a GIANT whale under you). It was 100% worthwhile and I cannot wait to return to the beautiful Buenos Aires and their wonderful food and culture.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I enjoyed being taught in the IES setting with professors from all around Buenos Aires! I took my classes in spanish and they were informative and fun! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I loved the staff on-site at IES! They weren't just our leaders, they were friends! It was a wonderful atmosphere. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host mom was definitely one of the best things about my experience. I still talk to her all the way from Texas! |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Making porteño (local) friends was the best! It really helps with spanish and it is just plain fun. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
It's definitely different than the US. I got sick a few times and had a doctor come to my home-stay. My host mom was super helpful and so was the IES abroad staff. |
| * Safety: |
Just be aware of your surroundings. I was never harmed or stollen from but it does happen if you aren't being aware. |
| 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? | It completely depends on the week and what you're doing. I'd say $30 minimum. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | keep a budget report and track how much you are spending. Use Xoom (xoom.com) to transfer dollars to pesos from your bank account-- it's a great rate and makes a huge difference!! Never use ATMs. |
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 |
My classes were in Spanish and we only spoke Spanish in my homestay so it was used quite a bit. |
| 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? | Intermediate Spanish II |
| 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? | Speak with locals! It's the only way to truly learn the language. Living in a host home is 100% helpful as well. |
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 was fairly prepared from talking to lots of people before I went, but I wish I would have known that it wasn't going to be as crime-filled as people made it out to be. It's not a scary place. You have to be aware at all times, but it becomes comfortable after a while and you don't have to think too much about it. |
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. |
