Adventure in Argentina Past Review
By A student (International Relations and Global Studies, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 02/22/2014 to 06/27/2014 with
IES Abroad: Buenos Aires - Society & Culture
I feel like I learned a lot about myself. Going abroad for a full semester is not easy. Some days you get frustrated and homesick. But I would not trade it. I feel like Argentina became my home and I was so sad to leave. Argentina will put you out of your comfort zone. It is not as americanized as Europe. I feel like I gained a new global perspective that I could not have in Europe.
Personal Information
| 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. |
Classes were much more demanding than I expected from an abroad program. It was still easy to make an A but it required a lot more time than I had anticipated, which was a bummer because I feel like this prevented me from travel, exploring the city, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff at IES are great. Super accommodating and friendly. They are always happy to help you with academic or personal issues. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed with a host family, because I had heard "you HAVE to, it's the best!" …I did not love my host family as I had hoped. I think in the end it was beneficial but I sometimes wish I had lived in independent housing with another IES roommate. |
| * Food: |
Great! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
IES provides lots of random activities around BA and offers a language partners program that links you with local Argentines looking to improve their English. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
BA is definitely sketchy. But do not let that deter you from going! IES does a great job of briefing you with safety tips and things to be aware of during orientation. As long as you are smart and aware of your surroundings you will be fine! I was there for 5 months and never had a problem. |
| 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) |
Everything is so much cheaper in South America and the exchange rate works to your benefit. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
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? | 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? | high school spanish and 2 lower division college 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? | Don't feel embarrassed to speak. Locals may giggle at your accent or misuse but that's just the culture. They really appreciate people trying to speak their language and are usually very chatty. |
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 took 15 hours so school was more demanding than I would have liked. I wish I had more flexibility to travel but I am glad that I got 15 hrs of credit at my home university. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
