Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

My Argentine Adventure Past Review

By (The Evergreen State College) - abroad from 07/06/2016 to 11/30/2016 with

IPSL: Cordoba: Study Abroad + Service Learning in Argentina

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It has been a long time since my foreign exchange my senior year of high school. I had to practice diplomacy, learn the rituals of daily living, our big joke was that they don't eat much breakfast, but I need a big breakfast. When they served fruit and croissants I would say "donde esta mi tocino y huevos?" Where are my bacon and eggs? they would say Nooooooooo Marilee, Noooooooo!!! It was quite funny! It was definitely worthwhile, I felt at home there and it reconfirmed my desire to teach English to English language learners when I graduate.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

There were there for me

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Couldn't have been better

* Food:

Totally awesome!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Easier than Mexico

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I do not like that I was supposed to pay up front and get reimbursed for care. Very difficult to have that done when abroad. I did not have the money that. All the other students had a different insurance, I was the only one with the one I had.

* Safety:

Everyone kept saying it was not safe, but I felt safe at all times. I am not sure why, but practicing common sense is usually enough.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

The people were friendly and helpful, they were interested in me and they enjoyed my teaching.

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)

I didn't have that much a week or it would have been easier

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I was very frugal, I spent around 25 us dollars a week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan for the first month to have more, you have to buy bus or transit passes, the excursions are separate except for one of them. the excursions cost 350 or more us dollars per excursion, I couldn't afford more than one other than the one that came with the program. I really didn't expect that. They were great, and worth the money, but I didn't know about it so I didn't have the extra saved.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
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? No language courses previously. This was a problem as the class we took was too advanced for me academically.
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? Don't spend time with other American students, make Argentine friends. when you get home, try Skyping them once a week or every few weeks in order to continue practicing.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The Service learning
  • The IPSL classes
  • my host family
* What could be improved?
  • I really wasn't sure who my representative was, it would be nice if that were more clear right at the beginning.
  • The Spanish class was too advanced. I needed three semesters of basic Spanish. I am not sure I even passed, I have not received my grade. I could communicate before I got there and my verbal skills improved, but if you don't know how to conjugate the verbs before you get there, it is very difficult in class.
  • They need to tell you up front how much the excursions are going to cost so you can plan.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that I needed a basic Spanish class before I went abroad, it was very important for the Spanish class. Technically I am intermediate for verbal and understanding, and reading, but I am still beginner for writing because I don't have the verb forms memorised

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!