Argentina: My Home away from Home Past Review
By Molly A (Exercise Science/Spanish, Nebraska Wesleyan University) for
ISEP Exchange: Córdoba - Exchange Program at Universidad Blas Pascal
It really has made me more open minded about other cultures and their traditions. I am more outspoken and independent as a person. It has matured me quite a bit. I loved speaking Spanish all the time, so I would love to have a career in a foreign country.
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. |
The classes were very simple, and I had to study very little. One thing I noticed is that in one class, your grade was based on how well the professor liked you... |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program seemed fairly organized, and sent me all the details and paperwork in a timely manner. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
At first, I felt like a burden for my family because they always seemed annoyed when I did not understand something. I felt slightly mistreated by my host sister because I always tried to talk to her and she ignored me. However, the rest of my family treated me very well, and it turned out to be a very positive experience. |
| * Food: |
It is impossible to be on a diet in Argentina! Expect to gain weight... |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Jornada de Integracion was a really fun weekend becuase all the students and faculty got together at a gorgeous retreat in the mountains. Also, I enjoyed the goodbye party for all the students. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
When I was down there, no one had any troubles with health care or health issues. As far as safety, girls should never walk alone in any part when it's dark. It is also dangerous for both boys and girls in parts. My friend got robbed at gunpoint. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I went out to eat with friends a lot on weekends which would cost around $15-20. Also, I went out to the clubs pretty often which cost anywhere from free-$10. For movies in the theater, the tickets were around $3-6. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I was not aware that I had to pay extra for a couple of my classes. For tango and a culture class I had to pay $400 for the semester. If I would have known that, I would not have taken them... |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Culture of Spain |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
We were punished if we spoke English at the university. We were encouraged to speak Spanish at all times with friends, family, and professors in order to improve our speaking abilities. Some people did not speak any English, so speaking Spanish was necessary on a daily basis. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | This type of program is for anyone. I was not an independent person before this trip, but now I have grown so much as a person. If I can do it, anyone can. |
