Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Fiesta everyday, good steak, and Wonderful friends! September 20, 2024

By (Internship, Brandeis University) - abroad from 05/26/2024 to 07/23/2024 with

IFSA: Buenos Aires - Argentine Universities Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I definitely learned a lot about Argentine culture, including food, social behaviors, ways of living, and the language. I realized that I would probably thrive in a city like Buenos Aires. I also gained insight into various institutional issues that exist in the country.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my host mom so much.

* 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? Yes

I absolutely loved my program. It was small, and although I was nervous about not having many people in it, that intimacy allowed me to become very close with everyone. We all got along well, and I enjoyed exploring Argentina and other countries with them.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50 - 100 a week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make a budget tracking sheet!

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? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? NONE
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Read!!!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
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?
  • My Host mom
  • My host cat
  • My friends
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I brought less clothes! I ended up buying a lot.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.