Abroad in Buenos Aires, a City of Culture and Opportunity Past Review
By Viviana A (Plan II, philosophy, The University of Texas at Austin) for
IFSA: Buenos Aires - Argentine Universities Program
My study abroad experience was extremely worthwhile. The only regret I have is not opting for a longer program. I learned so much about history, culture and, though cliche, myself. Of course my Spanish improved as well. I loved the city and would love to live there someday. Traveling abroad really allows you to gain a perspective you can't gain any other way, and taking classes in a foreign country really open your eyes to the U.S.'s role internationally. I'm also more culturally aware of Americans and more mindful of cultural differences among people of different countries. I already knew I liked to travel, but this experience really showed me that traveling is so important to me, and I hope to live abroad for a year or so in the future.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | 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. |
The workload was quite light. The history class was strictly lecture, which often made it hard to stay focused for 90 minutes. Teachers were much more relaxed. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was extremely accessible. They were available near campus daily, and they always promptly responded to e-mails and calls. They were quite knowledgeable about the differences we encountered and were really understanding about everything. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was extremely fortunate to have a great host family that treated me like a member of the family. I lived in a great and safe location with access to all forms of public transportation. Because Buenos Aires is so big, it's hard to live close to everything, but I lived in an area with a great nightlife, though it was far from class (about a one-hour commute). I did not need any items to settle in. However, most students in my program were not as lucky as I was with their host family arrangements; many were not fed as often as they should've been and were not paid any attention by their host families. |
| * Food: |
The food at my house was excellent. Luckily my host mom was a great cook. Fortunately for all travelers, Buenos Aires offers great food everywhere you look, but it may be tough for vegetarians, as meat is certainly the main ingredient in almost every meal. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Buenos Aires is a great city and has so much to offer students and travelers. It has a ton of tourist attractions, including museums and plazas. The program also provided trips to Tigre and Colonia, Uruguay, which were both fun and interesting. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I had a fever the first few days of the trip, and the program administration insisted I see two doctors. I was overwhelmed by the doctors' visits, and they gave me medicine though I wasn't really aware of what I was taking. That to me is a bit scary, and to an American, the health care there may be a bit overwhelming. However, it's good to know that if there were a serious medical problem, health care is easily accessible. Moreover, my laptop got stolen in Buenos Aires in a cafe. Though I was safe and mindful of pickpocketers throughout the trip, I didn't expect someone to run into a cafe and steal my laptop while I was using it. It can happen anywhere, but Buenos Aires is so big that it's easier for experienced criminals to get away with such crimes. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | No, I cannot think of any aspects of the program I'd eliminate to lower the cost. I also cannot think of any unanticipated expenses I wish I knew beforehand. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | SPN 312L |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced Spanish in class but even more so in my host family's home. The host family experience is the most beneficial way to improve your language abilities. It is definitely necessary to speak Spanish in everyday interactions. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If you choose this particular program, be ready for a challenge. It can be frustrating at first, adjusting to hearing Spanish all the time, including at orientation and in class, but it truly is the best way to improve. If you're relatively independent yet still enjoy the idea of having people there when you need them, this program would be perfect for you. |
