Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Home Away from Home Past Review

By (International Relations, Duke University) - abroad from 07/25/2015 to 11/20/2015 with

IES Abroad: Buenos Aires - Society & Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I grew a lot as a person. I think that my experience abroad helped me see things in a different way but also put every situation in perspective and learn how to rationalize, as well as live in a more relaxed way. Not only did I learn many things academically, I also had one of the most incredible social and cultural experience of my life!

Review Photos

IES Abroad: Buenos Aires - Study Abroad With IES Abroad Photo IES Abroad: Buenos Aires - Study Abroad With IES Abroad Photo IES Abroad: Buenos Aires - Study Abroad With IES Abroad Photo IES Abroad: Buenos Aires - Study Abroad With IES Abroad Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

IES abroad was the perfect combination of rigorous academic experience as well as interactive cultural discovery of the city of Buenos Aires.

Finances

* 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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Lots of field trips to help us put in perspective the concepts we learned in class
  • The professors were very helpful, always willing to meet with students one on one.
  • The staff of the program was always a great support.
* What could be improved?
  • The staff could be a little more organized.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known that my time on that program would have gone by so fast, and would have taken advantage of it even more (if that is even possible). The five months I spent in South America flew by, and I cannot believe that I am already back in the United States.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'