Buenos Aires: Learning to live in an post-prime city in a developing nation Past Review
By Peter S (Marketing., Texas Christian University) for
IES Abroad: Buenos Aires - Society & Culture
Absolutely. Learning a new culture that is so counter-US was extremely valuable. Although it was very challenging personally, socially and spiritually, I would not trade my personal growth for anything.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | IES Abroad Buenos Aires; Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales y Sociedades (local Argentine University) |
| 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. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The family failed to provide all of the basic requirements, which I reported to IES. Honestly my unique disappointment with my experience was with my host family who barely interacted with me and failed to provide me food at times. |
| * Food: |
Food is great. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program trips were interesting but failed to harbor language development. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
The city is extremely dangerous in regards to crime. It is just a fact of life, which is sad. Rather than a problem, it is more considered a part of life. I would guess that over 50% of the 110 students had been robbed or were attempted to be mugged during their time. |
| 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 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I had to make very diligent efforts to find students or people in general to converse with, which was less than ideal. The IES program offered Spanish for advanced students and English for the beginners, but it created an English-dominant atmosphere as it was easier. I really felt like the academic environment didn't foster the language development, which was discouraging. Fortunately, I made efforts to engage with students through a church, but most of my friends didn't obtain friendships because all of the university activities were in English. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Buenos Aires is more of a major city (15million) than an Argentina or South American city. Despite its geographic location, the city is more similar to its founding influences: Paris, Milan and Rome. Compared to my travels in South America (Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina), I was extremely grateful to have studied in Buenos Aires because of its personal style, distinct culture (both refreshing and frustrating at times), and its beautiful architecture. |
