study abroad review Past Review
By A student (Barnard College) - abroad from 02/20/2012 to 07/07/2012 with
IFSA: Buenos Aires - Argentine Universities Program
totally worthwhile experience
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad Torcuato di Tella Universidad de Buenos Aires |
| 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. |
My UBA FyL class was pretty rigorous/intense...the Di Tella/IFSA classes were not. Classes are four hours long with a 15 minute break half-way through, which wears you out at the beginning. I had a hefty stack of reading to do each week for my literature seminar, not all of which was entirely obligatory, but which certainly was helpful for my final paper. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Really wonderful. Everyone that I dealt with was helpful, understanding, flexible. When I was picking classes & stressed about timing issues, IFSA negotiated a bit to let me try to do what I wanted (which I didn't end up doing ultimately) I think most people that had problems dealing with program staff brought them on themselves...I was a mess the entire semester and the staff was nothing but guiding and helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lived in the south-eastern part of Palermo close to Villa Crespo/Almagro. It was perfect for getting between Belgrano and Caballito, but kind of a pain considering I didn't like going out in Palermo. My room was pretty normal. Had a wonderful host family (mother & daughter). |
| * Food: |
My host mom was really into cooking healthy food, was a great cook. Ate lots of vegetables & fruit, no greasy, oily food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
As much as you can integrate in 5-6 months? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Spent way too much time with the doctor. Awesome guy, though. Got sick on the plane, IFSA took me to the hospital, helped me get my paperwork together for insurance. |
| * Safety: |
Shit happens, I wouldn't worry about it. |
| 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) |
Things got kind of expensive for me, cause I kept getting sick & had to buy medication. Otherwise, though, I didn't spend very much money. Transportation, which was one of my primary expenses, was so cheap that I never ended up spending crazy amounts of money to do things. That being said, I think I took a cab maybe four or five times? Depends on what you call a "student's budget." I, perhaps, am more frugal than other people. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $75 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take the bus, pack lunch, get photocopies, buy used books if you want to save money. |
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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I'd taken an advanced language course before I left. |
| 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? | Make friends! |
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? | I wish i'd known just how shitty it is not to have a sube card & have to go looking around for change for the bus. |
