Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Studying abroad in Buenos Aires is a must! Past Review

By (University of Minnesota - Twin Cities) - abroad from 02/25/2018 to 06/24/2018 with

IES Abroad: Buenos Aires - Society & Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My experience there was more than worthwhile. I get emotional thinking about the bonds I made with Argentinians, international students, and other American students while I was there. I am fluent in Spanish now, which is so nice. Using Spanish day to day helped me perfect it. I learned that there aren't as many differences as I had thought between my life and the life of an Argentine. Someone can find similarities between their culture and a different culture in the world. It made the unknown less scary to me. I loved the experience.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes and instructors were fantastic! However, sometimes I felt I could've been pushed harder with the course work.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Yes! My host mom and I got really close, spent lots of time together, and still talk every day since I've been back home.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I picked up Argentine lingo and the Argentine accent really fast, which helped! I felt like I generally integrated pretty well, but stuck out sometimes. That is inevitable in some situations.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Like other big cities around the world, Buenos Aires had some crime. I didn't have any issues, but I had friends who were robbed, some violently, some nonviolently, but I suggest following ALL rules the program gives you. They give safety presentations in the first few days.

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

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
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Advanced 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? Keep a list of words in a notebook or in the notes on your phone of every day words. I found myself always forgetting words like hanger, sink, bra, etc. until I wrote them down in my phone and could refer to them when needed!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • My host family
  • Living in a big city independently
  • Learning things in classes, then walking out of the school & seeing those same things in the streets. Being able to apply what we learned in class to our lives as porteños!
* What could be improved?
  • More information about classes given in the predeparture info!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have known to bring warm clothes! The internet made it seem like that area wouldn't get that cold, but it definitely did and I had to spend a decent chunk of money buying warm clothes!

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!