Among the People Past Review
By hk62 (Emory University) - abroad from 07/19/2018 to 12/01/2019 with
IFSA: Buenos Aires - Argentine Universities Program
I became fluent in Spanish which was my reason for studying abroad in South America. Also, I learned how to navigate a city, and traveling alone and just felt so incredibly capable. I became a lot more confident in myself and my abilities to problem solve and meet new people.
Personal Information
| 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. |
This program is academically as rigourous as you want it to be seeing as you pick your classes! The Spanish is academically challenging because all of your classes are taught in Spanish, but for the most part, I definitely did a lot more work at home than abroad. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Although the academic counselors were really accessible, the academic class-finding process in Argentina can be really frustrating as the schools are all over the city, teachers don't come to classes and university wide strikes and closures occur. My IFSA academic counselor replied to my whatsapp messages and emails literally at any hour of the night and were extremely understanding that the process was not easy. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host grandmother! We lived like roommates and she was a night owl like me so we always were up late together and got up late in the morning! |
| * Food: |
Buenos Aires, like most big cities, has incredible food!! So many different cuisines to choose from! That being said, my host mom's food was very basic and repetive but I'm not a picky eater. Argentinian food is famous for being meat-heavy and blander, but the city has plenty of incredible food to offer too. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I joined a local boxing gym, played on two ultimate frisbee teams and volunteered at an organic farm/space for adults with disabilities. I definitely felt like part of the city while I was there. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
IFSA is very upfront about how to access doctors and medicine. I had a doctor house visit once during the program, and the reimbursement process with insurance was easy and fast. |
| * Safety: |
Be smart like any big city. I never felt particularly unsafe and traveled alone as a girl all the time and throughout South America as well. Definitely invest in a small lock to use while traveling/your backpack and definitely wear your backpack/belongings on your front on public transportation/in busy areas. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
IFSA just puts together a phenomenal program. They know what they are doing and have been doing it for years. IFSA is extremely upfront with their students about how to navigate their time abroad and is very accommodating in terms of their 'no questions asked' policy if you want to switch host families. They are really just committed to making sure you enjoy your time abroad. |
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? | $50-100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook!!!! Buy food to make lunches because this program doesn't include lunch from your host family. |
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? | Intermediate |
| 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? | Span 330 |
| 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 and take opportunities to separate yourself from your American group of students. |
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? |
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 can travel on my own and actually much preferred it that way sometimes. It gives you the opportunity to meet a whole bunch of interesting, new people, and I shouldn't have been afraid to book trips by myself before going abroad or at the beginning of the program. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
