The best five months of my life! April 24, 2024

By Frederick M (Global Studies, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/25/2024 to 07/15/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Buenos Aires

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

To begin with my Spanish improved massively, picking up local nuances and a porteño accent. I have continued to pursue my interests there such as jiu jitsu while also developing new ones such as Tango. I had the opportunity to tap into my social side much more and made many great friends all around the world whom I still keep in touch.

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.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	The toilet and shower both broke during my stay.
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Fully integrated into local culture, with many friends made across all ages.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes I had always wanted to go to South America and Argentina. Looking back at the program, it really exceeded my expectations and took me by surprise! The city is beautiful in its own way, the program is fun and the people are truly lovely and passionate about life. I have made many many life-long friends and I really felt like I belong there. Personally, I felt like I have grown over my time there and came back to the US with a new perspective.

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)	Due to the inflation in Argentina, the value was incredible
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Change money with your host family at the dollar blue rate.

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?	Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	Spanish 300
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?	Make local friends

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 International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?	10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	Full Spanish Immersion Support from Middlebury Host Family/Host University
* What could be improved?	Communication and Planning More predictability Organization
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	To mentally prepare for the unpredictability in Argentina and thus loss of productivity. It is just the way it works there.

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 Outright Urbanite A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Gerencia y Liderazgo
Course Department:	Human Resources
Instructor:	Luis Antun
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	The course was well designed, with a mature syllabus and experienced instructor. However, he instructor arrived late on several occasions, causing disruption to the course progression.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Gerencia de Personas
Course Department:	Human Resources
Instructor:	Calamutti
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	A good course with a passionate instructor. Due to the smaller size of the class, the instructor had the tendency to go on digressions.
Credit Transfer Issues: