Summer in Buenos Aires Past Review
By A student (Chemistry., Brandeis University) - abroad from 05/30/2014 to 07/12/2014 with
IFSA: Buenos Aires - Advanced Language and Culture in Buenos Aires
I was able to improve my Spanish speaking abilities and confidence in speaking the language
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. |
Spanish language class was not taken seriously by the other students and the assignments were graded fairly easily. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
A lot of staff was available but only a few were introduced to us at the beginning of the program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
For the most part Argentinians were very welcoming |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
N/A |
| * Safety: |
Many students had problems with pickpockets and thieves, but there were no serious threats |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Ask hosts |
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? | 105 |
| 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? | As much as you can! |
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? | Best ways of getting money (xoom.com), best cellphone companies (movistar). |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Advanced Spanish and Argentine Culture |
| Course Department: | Facultad de Filosofía y Letra |
| Instructor: | Daniel Piero |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Course was not taken seriously by the students and assignments were graded easily without a known scale. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | I have not yet received my grades from IFSA-Butler |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Argentine History |
| Course Department: | Facultad de Filosofia y Letra |
| Instructor: | Cecilia Belej |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Professor was very knowledgeable and cared about the students. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Have not received grades from IFSA-Butler |
