Amazing experience! Past Review
By Leah C (Cultural Anthropology; Global Health, Duke University) - abroad from 07/27/2013 to 11/21/2013 with
IES Abroad: Buenos Aires - Society & Culture
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Definitely worthwhile- I learned a lot about myself and what makes me happy and what I enjoy doing, as well as what kinds of challenges are productive. I want to work internationally later in life, so volunteering with a local NGO helped me better understand office culture there and what international NGOs look like. And obviously, I learned a lot of Spanish!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Similar issues to any major city- just need to be careful! |
| 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? | $50 (Depends on if traveling or not, going out a lot at night or for meals, etc.) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Traveling can be expensive, but lots of ways to make it cheaper! Use xoom.com to get money- saves a lot. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Spanish 2 |
| 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? | Live with a host family! I lived with little kids, so that was a great way to practice the language without a lot of pressure. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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 had known how quickly it goes by! It's like a blur so I would recommend trying to enjoy every moment, trying to just roll with unfamiliar things and enjoy the ride. |
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. |
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