Mi Querida Buenos Aires Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 05/28/2015 to 07/12/2015 with
IFSA: Buenos Aires - Advanced Language and Culture in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is an exciting city rich with culture and history. I learned so much about Argentine politics, Castellano (Buenos Aires' form of Spanish), and Argentine custom. It was worth every moment and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
I suffer from allergies to gluten and dairy and IFSA-Butler made certain that I was always being provided with allergen free food by my host family and at program led dinners. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Do not flag down cabs. Call a radio taxi or use the app Easy Taxi. Both are much safer, but still be on guard. If you flag down a cab, you will get robbed. |
| 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) |
Honestly, it all depends on your spending habits. Taxis and public transportation are very inexpensive, while a meal at a restaurant can get very pricey. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Carry a water bottle! The tap water is safe to drink in Buenos Aires, but it is not served at restaurants. You will have to buy a water to accompany your meal unless you bring water with you. |
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? | Advanced |
| 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? | fifth level college course |
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? | 0 |
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? | Plan to spend money on travel, eat with your host family as often as possible, never flag down a cab, Ezeiza is too far for domestic travel, and bring two suitcases: one for your belongings, and one empty to bring back all of the souvenirs and dulce de leche. |
