Argentina: Land of Learning Past Review
By Ana Laura C (English And Communications, University of the Pacific) for
ISEP Exchange: Córdoba - Exchange Program at Universidad Católica de Córdoba
I am more globally aware. My communication skills have improved and I am looking forward to visiting friends who I became close with during the trip. I learned so much about myself during this trip and I will never forget my experience.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The grading system was completely a new experience for me, in order to take a final you had to be considered a regular student status. The teaching methods were also different most professors just sat there and talked which for me was difficult because I am a visual learner. Also the class sizes were bigger, not too much but it was still also something I had to adjust to. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I felt like my host institution advisers were very accessible and willing to help with any issue I had. They truly went above and beyond of what I expected. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The first place where I stayed, I had my own room and bathroom and Olga Quero was a delight! I absolutely love her and how helpful she was. She is the most AMAZING Host mom I had. I had to move to a different location because he home was too far away from the center of Córdoba which is where I had all of my courses. Ivana was also a great host parent, although she was rarely home and she smoked. but the location of her home was perfect. |
| * Food: |
Olga has the best meals ever. Ivana, not so much, because she was almost never home she froze meals and they were always the same thing. I could only eat frozen rice and pasta so often. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Choripaneada, where we got to meet other students was a great success and they provided vegetarian option! |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
My host university had a medical clinic in which I was able to go to and set up appointments free of charge. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 120 U$D |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I think you should definitely leave souvenir shopping for the end of your trip. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I am a native speaker. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced my Spanish everyday with everyone in Argentina, it was awesome. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Student who wants to be challenged and learn. Take classes you will enjoy and get out there and meet people outside the host institution, get involved and just enjoy everything. |
