Buenos Aires: Growing, Challenging, but Overall...Rewarding. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The first two classes were far too easy for me. It had been awhile since I'd taken any Spanish, but I learned quickly and the classes went way too slowly for me. I asked in both levels to be moved up, but was denied both times, being told it would move faster over time. I wanted to move at a faster rate during the entire first two months. The third month was perfect and was much more of a challenge for me. There needs to be a much better test to place people in appropriate levels. I don't think the test was a very good indicator of Spanish level.

On-site administration of your program

They needed to tell us about excursion plans farther in advance, but otherwise they did a good job. Also, it would have been nice to have more tutoring opportunities. It was very busy, not secluded, and very difficult to get in for a tutoring session after the first month.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My apartment was the perfect location, but my host mother did not like me and made sure I knew it. She was get upset with me for every little thing I did and nothing I did was right in her eyes. It felt like I constantly had to "walk on egg shells" whenever she was around. My roommate, however, was great and was treated fine by our host mom. I definitely felt discriminated against. Part of it, I'm almost positive, was because I am a practicing Christian and she is an atheist. It definitely caused some tension. I did not feel like I was treated well and the food was not very healthy or varied. It was a really frustrating situation.

The food was very repetitive (the same 5 or 6 meals every single week) and not very healthy. I was not very satisfied with it, especially after hearing about other students' food at their host homes.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

ISA did a great job, overall with excursions. The trip to Iguazu Falls was, by far, the best!

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

ISA did a great job at preparing us for life in the big city as a foreigner.

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

I practiced in my classes and outside with people I met. I needed the language on the streets with everyday interactions, but it was really easy to just stay around Americans the majority of the time since all of our classes were with other Americans. A lot of the people throughout the city could speak at least a little bit of english, but you still needed spanish to get around easily and well.

Select all that apply

• Host Family
• Apartment

Select all that apply

• Americans
• Host Family