Losing my sh*t in Buenos Aires (literally) Past Review
By Alex Hughes (Bentley University) - abroad from 02/27/2016 to 06/23/2016 with
IES Abroad: Buenos Aires - Society & Culture
I learned way too much to write in one paragraph! I learned how to handle myself in a new place, how to travel alone or with new people, how to communicate with people when you don't speak their language (I.e. Portuguese in Brazil), and so much more.
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 |
The administration was great, a little disorganized, but that seems to be consistent in Argentina |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was amazing, I would encourage everyone to live with a host family at some point in their lives. |
| * Food: |
It was unique and different and I loved it. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was hard because my Spanish is only conversational, but I was able to integrate fairly well. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I spent a full day in the hospital, it was easy to get to, but very long to stay. Obviously the United States have a better healthcare system, but my host mother helped me more than anyone else (although administration did reach out). Only the normal vaccines for life (flu, tetanus, etc.) |
| * Safety: |
It's the pickpocket capital of the world, you need to be careful. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I wouldn't have met the people I did or see the sights I got to or anything. I love my memories and wouldn't want to change them for anything. |
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? | Roughly 25 dollars a week, but averaged with travel costs and stuff, closer to 50-75 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Realize that you don't HAVE to buy things all the time, buy bread, meat, and cheese and bring sandwiches to school, don't always buy food that you can make at home. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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 knew better ways to take out money. |
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.' |
