Argentina: The Country of Wonders Past Review
By Ela L (Media Studies and Spanish, University of Maryland - Baltimore County) for
ISA Study Abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina
My study abroad experience was the most amazing thing I did in my college career! I would never trade this experience! I am more willing to be on my own and travel without feeling needy or lost. I enjoy adventure and cannot wait to graduate to explore some more!
Personal Information
| 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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
ISA BA was very organized and welcoming. I felt very at home in the ISA office and did not feel uncomfortable. I would suggest having smaller groups when traveling on excursions because I did feel like we were "just a big group of Americans" sometimes. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I felt very comfortable with my host family. I enjoyed having dinner with them every night. My host mom made a point of trying to include me in conversations. I did not need to buy an sheets/towels when I arrived. My neighborhood was safe (Belgrano), but I did know a student who felt very unsafe in Belgrano (she lived by the train tracks). |
| * Food: |
The food was satisfactory, but I would like to be getting "my money's worth". My program was not inexpensive and I know some of the food I had was very cheap. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The optional excursion to Cordoba was amazing! THis was the best trip because we were able to "go off the beaten path" and explore the province in ways I would have never been able to without a native guide. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never visited the hospital, but safety in Buenos Aires can be shakey. I was the only friend in my group who did not get pick pocketed (because I did not carry a purse). Also once it gets dark out and you are alone it may not be the safest thing to walk by parks, railroad tracks, subtes, etc. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I used Spanish every single day. My host mom was really good at helping me when I got stuck with a word, but she always encouraged me to use Spanish. Unlike many places in Europe, I found Buenos Aires to only speak Spanish. I don't think I ever heard English being used on the streets unless it was a colloquial phrase. The lack of English really helped me with my Spanish. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | An outgoing student would most benefit from this program. Someone who does not like to part with simply luxuries (hair products, dry cleaned clothes, etc.) would have a hard time. You have to be able to enjoy traveling and time spent asking yourslef, "where the hell am I?" :) |
