Amazing cultural immersion and connection with nature January 12, 2025
By James M (Mechanical Engineering, Rice University) - abroad from 09/03/2024 to 12/16/2024 with
SIT Study Abroad: Argentina: People, Environment, and Climate Change in Patagonia and Antarctica
I improved my Spanish a ton through this program. I also learned a lot about scientific processes and how environmental research is is conducted. Furthermore, I really enjoyed the experience of learning about Argentinian culture.
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. |
|
|
* 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: |
|
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program was more than I ever could have hoped for. The program staff were super supportive and they went above and beyond with planning events for us. In particular, they gave us lots of opportunities to connect with the scientific community in Tierra del Fuego. We had 3 excursions outside of Ushuaia, and they were all incredible. One of those was a trip to Antarctica, which was a crazy opportunity. Ushuaia itself was also an amazing place to be. It is definitely on the smaller side, but I felt that that made it easier to connect with the community. The people in Ushuaia are generally very friendly and accepting even as you are still improving your Spanish. Also, it is right in the mountains and on the ocean, so there are all sorts of outdoor activities that are very accessible from the city. The classes and internship component of the program were both really interesting, and I learned a lot from them. Also, my Spanish improved a ton during this program. Furthermore, the host family experience allowed me to experience Argentinian culture in a way that I never could have if I was living on my own in a dorm or apartment. On the whole, this program was an incredible, once in a life time experience, and I would highly recommend it. |
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) |
|
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 |
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? | I wish I was more prepared for how exhausted I would be needing to use Spanish all the time, so that I could have been more ready to push through that and continue practicing more. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
