Lonely, Learning, Loving Past Review
By Maddy L (History, General, Trinity University) - abroad from 07/26/2015 to 11/22/2015 with
IES Abroad: Buenos Aires - Society & Culture
I wouldn't change the experience at all just because of what it taught me. I don't rate it 10 stars because my experience was perfect. There were days where I didn't like Argentina, and I wanted to go home, and I felt lonely and disconnected and lost. BUT. There was such value in it from the beginning. I learned a lot about myself and about Argentina too. I feel like the experience directed me in a way a semester in the US couldn't. I learned a lot about my weaknesses and my passions. I'm trying to be a Spanish major now just because I want to be as close to the language as possible. I became more independent and found aspects of myself I really want to improve in. It was most definitely worthwhile, but it was also most definitely difficult from the very beginning.
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. |
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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? |
I had an awesome home stay. My host mom was the best. |
| * 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: |
There were times where I definitely didn't feel safe. But overall it's about the choices you make. Take a cell phone with you, make sure there's credit on it, bring some extra pesos just in case you need a taxi, if you go out don't leave alone-share a taxi, take the bus together. Overall, I was probably safer than I felt. |
| 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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
I just depends on what activities you prefer. There's a lot of free stuff in the city, but going out at night can become costly very quickly. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100$ |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take advantage of the food offered at your home stay. Spend less on lunch during the week because you'll have to eat out all week (and you'll have more money to spend on dinner which is a bigger meal in Argentina anyway). During the day walk places!!! Walking is nice. |
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 |
It was encouraged, but ultimately up to you to use the language. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate 1 |
| 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? | Get involved in some kind of sports activity to make local friends, joining a church helped me a lot too...that's where a lot of my local connections came from, talk to your host family...they'll be patient with you and very willing to help. Talk to your abroad friends in Spanish too! You just have to commit yourself to improving your language skills. It's really a personal choice. |
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? | Be more available and take more risks. Ask more questions Engage in a sports club-it's a great way to make local friends make and execute well planned travel plans |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
