Cordoba: I want to go back. Past Review
By Dana F (Spanish Language and Literature., SUNY - College at Geneseo) for
National University of Cordoba: Cordoba - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned that not everything has to be rushed, that there are many ways in which we Americans are privileged and some ways in which we are backwards, and that you have to open your eyes and your mind to really understand yourself and the world around you. What I loved most was the friendships I made, mostly with Argentinian students. I had so many great discussions with friends from various countries about differences in daily life, culture, and worldviews that were truly eye opening and really peaked my interest. I will absolutely return to Cordoba one day to revisit my friends and travel to surrounding countries.
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 workload was tough but reasonable. I was able to work hard and get good grades. The classroom situation was not all that different except that it seemed like professors did not baby their students as much; they expected them to keep up and do the readings. I loved my professors, and I made a lot of friends within the school of languages. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
We, the exchange students, often felt like we had no idea what was going on; and neither did anyone else! It's very disorganized, but you have to learn to relax and deal with it because it all turns out fine in the end. It's a part of the culture. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
A host family was chosen for me. I would have liked to have had more of a say in that because I would have asked for a family with kids, and I would not have wanted to live with the only woman in Argentina who doesn't appreciate food! She was a bad cook, but all my other friends had great food, so I was just really unlucky. My host family was nice, but not exactly open-minded, more because they were old than because they were Argentinian. My neighborhood was relatively safe compared to nearby areas, and I felt safe walking to and from my afternoon/evening classes. I didn't really need to buy anything. |
| * Food: |
My food experience was bad because I got stuck with a host mother who doesn't cook well or like to eat, but I promise that this is NOT normal. In fact, everyone else I knew ate great food every night. There are plenty of good places to eat out, and lots of Italian food and BEEF. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Nothing is arranged by the program, but it is easy to travel around the province (to the Sierras) and around the country by bus. I strongly recommend Iguazu falls! In terms of social life, you have to be outgoing and make friends-- they'll be happy to meet an American! I made so many friends who I still talk to! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I got the international health insurance though the Geneseo study abroad office, but it was still a mess to use it when I got sick. I didn't need any vaccines for the program. |
| 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 paid my host family a monthly rate of about $450 for room & board, food, and laundry. Other than that, I spent very little money! |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The U.S. dollar is strong in Argentina, so Americans can take advantage of relatively low prices for food and drinks. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had already taken several 300-level courses |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I spoke Spanish all day, every day. Some people speak English, but I generally refused to. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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 did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Anyone who is brave and outgoing and wants to be fully immersed in the language and culture would be foolish not to choose this program. |
