Would do it again in a heartbeat. August 03, 2023
By Mary D (Public Health, The College of William & Mary) - abroad from 02/25/2023 to 07/31/2023 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Buenos Aires
I gained a great amount of cultural knowledge on Argentine society. I felt less like a tourist and more like a local!
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. |
I loved the fact that we were directly enrolled in local classes. The rigor greatly improved my listening and writing skills. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The coordinators were always available for a phone call or a coffee date if I needed assistance. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I did not have a great living experience, but after two months I moved out and found housing with a local woman. |
| * Food: |
The food very different from the US, but Buenos Aires also has so many different international cuisines to try. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Talking with coworkers and my classmates really helped me integrate into local culture and feel part of the city. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
When I needed a doctor's attention, my coordinator set up the appointment immediately and accompanied me to the hospital/ |
| * Safety: |
I felt well-prepared to be vigilant after our discussions during orientation. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved the support but also independence that the program offered. |
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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Argentina is in an economic crisis and the dollar value is high. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50$ |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take the busses and trains to save money. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
The language pledge was very important. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | upper college level classes |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Talk to everyone you meet. |
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 |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Adjusting and immersing in a new culture takes time, and it is ok to feel alone at the beginning. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
