Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Big City= Tons of Culture but Transportation is time consuming Past Review

By (Economics., Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/25/2013 to 07/05/2013 with

IFSA: Buenos Aires - Argentine Universities Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was incredibly interesting to see how different Buenos Aires is from the rest of Latin America. There are areas of this that I find very positive and others that I find negative.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Beyond administrative abilities, they are incredible people.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Amazing Administrative Staff
  • Extra curricular activities offered by IFSA (theater, sports)
  • Language skills improved greatly
* What could be improved?
  • Encourage students to take classes based on Geographical Location
  • Get rid of "meal plan" and allow students to eat on their own
  • Option for living with other spanish speaking students (local but younger age, students from other parts of latin america studying in BsAs)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Make sure to know your motivation for coming (i.e. have objectives about what you want to accomplish while in BsAs), and making friends is a very pro-active process you must make the effort.

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 Linguist
You 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!