I'm Energetically Drained! From my Challenging yet Fun and Gratifying Experience August 11, 2023

By sophia g (Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/25/2023 to 07/12/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Buenos Aires

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I gained language skills, friendship, and cultural understanding, but I think I most of all gained confidence, patience and truly a new outlook on life. It was not easy!! I had to push myself in a lot of new ways but I feel so grateful to have experienced Buenos Aires for the semester.

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.	I found the classes interesting and pretty ideal in terms of rigor, however difficult in the lack of communication regarding expectations and logistics
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	The city itself feels generally pretty safe, except for petty crimes and very frequent protests
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)	travel was really the only expense
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	veryyyyy little (around $20)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	take public transport and plan excursions in advance

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
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?	400 level course at Middlebury
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?	don't be afraid!! no one starts off perfect but you will get there, don't be scared to start conversations with classmates etc.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students
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?	its emphasis on true linguistic and cultural immersion
* What could be improved?	general organization possibly its own physical building// office
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I went in knowing very little, but I do wish I had done some more research on Argentina beforehand, culturally, geographically etc. and it would have been nice to have had some more trips planned early on.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Medicina Hombre y Sociedad
Course Department:	Facultad de Medicina
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This course was not very work intensive, but very interesting. I found the final exam to be challenging, however expectations were clearly communicated
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Psicoanálisis I
Course Department:	Facultad de Psicología
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This course was very challenging, yet relevant and interesting, with fair evaluations
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Psicología de la Salud y la salud pública
Course Department:	Facultad de Psicología
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	The content of this class was incredibly relevant and interesting, yet instruction profoundly lacked. Class was frequently not taught (even when we were present) and the professor did not treat students with respect.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Middlebury Schools Abroad Language and Culture Class
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This course was super fun and engaging, I only wish the actual class time was longer
Credit Transfer Issues: