Buenos Aires: How to be a porteña in less than 200 days Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Depends where you take class - the workload at UBA felt equal to what I'm used to at home, USAL was really really easy. But that may be due to the professor. Almost all of your work will be papers and reading. Five page papers are the norm and there's is lots of reading. Most professors teach via lecture with some questions during. Students take lots of notes and most classes I took were heavily based in the readings, so you have to read at some point. Make sure to ask around about readings because some professors are not very clear about what they want you to read. Also, ask another student about the fotocopiadora the professor chooses for texts and readings. The best piece of advice I can give about classes is to sit at the front with the "serious" students and ask students as many questions as you need. Everyone is really helpful and will make sure you get what you need. The grading scale is from 1-10. It generally breaks down to: 4=C, 7=A, 10=A+

On-site administration of your program

Excellent. Argentine culture moves slower than American culture, so sometime it felt like things/questions were taking way too long to get answered/finished. Other than that, it was great.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was great! My host mom and I were able to co-exist really well together. She and I were both busy during the day, but we always ate dinner together. I lived in the downtown area and could walk anywhere (something I dearly miss now) and lived in a safe neighborhood. Make sure to bring or buy adaptors for the plugs. I also bought a blow-dryer when I got there so I didn't have to deal with voltage and whatnot.

Don't expect Argentines to honor vegetarian/non-meat eating diets. Meat = everything. Vegetarian sandwiches would have a slice of ham because why on Earth would you not eat ham?!?! Fresh fruit was amazing! Spices were bland, mostly salt, but everything is so fresh and simple. I miss it.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The program trip to Colonia was great!

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Beware of pickpockets! A messenger-style or any style of purse that crosses your body and has a zipper is a good thing. Keep your purse pulled in front of you while on the bus or subway, and never set it down in a restaurant. Most women will put their purses in their laps. Also, speaking English will automatically label you as foreign and make you a more likely target. Try to blend in - watch what other people do and try to pick up their mannerism and reactions to things. Don't be afraid to make eye contact with people; staring is culturally acceptable and most people will look at you longer than what seems normal by American standards.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Host parents, everyday interactions, host mom's grandkids, people in class. Most people don't speak English, so it's a great practice.

Select all that apply

• Host Family
• Apartment

Select all that apply

• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Local Students