South America is Calling Past Review
By Emily Nicholson (Texas Christian University) - abroad from 02/19/2018 to 06/01/2018 with
IES Abroad: Multi-Location - Emerging Economies, Buenos Aires & Santiago
I learned about how Americans are perceived and what we might be able to do to improve not only the image but the influence of our country on the world around us.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
We spent A LOT of time in class and it got monotonous towards the end. Not to discredit the extent to which I know understand South American economies! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Flor, in the Buenos Aires office, is an absolute angel and took such good care of our group. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host mom and brother were my absolute best friends. |
| * Food: |
Just like anywhere, the food is exciting and new at first and then gets old...luckily my host mom was a great cook. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Some activities were planned for us international students so we could hang out with local students, but forced friendships are never as great as the organic ones formed by getting out there, staying at hostels, talking to other travelers, etc. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
My parents were worried, of course, but I NEVER felt unsafe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I would pick a program where I could stay in one country the whole time. I didn't want to leave when the time came around for us to go! |
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) |
Probably spent $100/week |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | College-level 3000 |
| 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? | Do a home stay! Travel alone at least once on the weekend to force yourself to use it. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | (A) I should have brought hiking boots...tennis shoes didn't cut it. (B) I should have made a budget. (C) You cannot get anything once you're there...not by mail, not on Amazon...bring everything you think you may want/need. |
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.' |
