Summer Language and Culture in Buenos Aires was the BEST CHOICE OF MY LIFE! Past Review
By Abbey D (Physics., Trinity University) for
IFSA: Buenos Aires - Argentine Universities Program
If I could go on this program every summer for the rest of my life I would do it. The directors were phenomenal, the activities were always fun and so well-organized, the classes were stimulating, the people were welcoming, I could go on and on. I think it's very important for everyone to travel and see other peoples' lives in order to get out of their own box. This program facilitates cultural learning and helps out along the way, but allows independence so that we could struggle and learn from it. I was definitely uncomfortable at times, but this made the experience valuable. In addition to having the most fun I can imagine, I learned a lot about myself and how hard it is to be a foreigner. I felt like I became a lot more independent, especially learning how to navigate, and also much more understanding of other foreign language learners. I will definitely go back to Buenos Aires in the future. I wish IFSA Butler did adult programs too!
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? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I thought there was a perfect balance between work and play. Also, the teachers seemed genuinely interested in and amused by us. They did a great job of tying the material into activities that we did in the city. I was absolutely fascinated by the material and the assignments we had. The grading was not too difficult, and it was clear that the professors just wanted us to learn without worrying about grades. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was phenomenal, the directors were so happy and willing to help us and worked very, very hard to make the experience enjoyable and challenging. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my living situation! I became very close to my host family immediately. They were so willing to help me because they knew I was struggling with the language. My host sister would take me out with her friends on the weekends. My room was a bit small, but it was actually a good lesson in simplicity and showed me how content I can be with much less than I am accustomed to. Two of the weeks I was there we didn't have hot water, but it didn't really bother me. |
| * Food: |
The food was not as flavorful as I am used to, and there wasn't very much variety. But I definitely never went hungry! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I literally had the time of my life. My friends in the program and outside the program were amazing. We were constantly busy, trying to see and do everything. The program arranged a trip to Uruguay and many other excursions, and gave us a week of class off at the end of the program so we could travel or do whatever we wanted. My friends and I went to Iguazu to see waterfalls and stayed in a hostel where we met some amazing people. The stories and memories from my time there will stay with me forever; I've never laughed harder in my life at all the shenanigans and fun that comes with being a foreigner in an amazing city! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The program directors were very accessible if anything went wrong. I personally got very sick and had to go to a hospital in Iguazu, which was a very interesting experience. The healthcare situation is completely different there... The facility was very full and understaffed and didn't seem to take many precautions like we are used to in the US. I was in, out and on my way with a shot in the butt and prescriptions for under $100. I filled out a form with the program because they are supposed to pay for that, but I still have not heard back about it. Safety was kind of an issue, as some of the students in my program were robbed, but this is just the nature of being in a big city. Be careful, be aware! |
| 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? | I usually spent around $100 a week on food and transportation and fun each week. Everything is much less expensive, which is great unless you think that "cheap" means "free" like I tended to do. Turns out a ton of cheap things can be expensive. I had a hard time resisting the urge to spend on all the great shopping and restaurants. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I never felt like I wasn't prepared to spend the money that I did. I would recommend looking at all the budget information they give you before you leave, and taking out money in large amounts because the ATM fees can be pricey. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
We were only allowed to speak Spanish in the presence of the program directors. Also we all were placed with separate families who only spoke Spanish as well. My Spanish improved a lot! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | There is something for everyone in this program. There is the right amount of freedom and independence and structure so that you can choose to make the experience what you want it to be. |
