Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The best 3.5 months of my life! March 08, 2025

By (Global Health, Neuroscience, Duke University) - abroad from 08/28/2024 to 12/10/2024 with

SIT Study Abroad: Argentina - Public Health in Urban Environments

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Practically speaking, I developed much greater Spanish proficiency and a broader understanding of public health in the Argentine context. Outside of these aspects, I gained an immense appreciation for a new country and culture, lasting friendships with other students, and a second mom who I hope to remain close with for years and years and years.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I loved the classes and thought that they were a perfect balance of learning inside and outside of the classroom. Learning in Spanish was an adjustment but really helped with my proficiency. I thought the amount and rigor of assignments was perfect too, and I appreciated the emphasis on group work.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administrators are some of the best people I have ever met, so great at their jobs and just such lovely and supportive people to be with.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Absolutely adored my host mom and loved my neighborhood, could not have asked for a better living arrangement.

* Food:

The program provided so many meals for us which was really nice!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Living with a host family and in a neighborhood of the city definitely helped me feel integrated, and going to a local gym and eating at restaurants did as well. I think something that hindered our integration was taking all of our classes only with the people in our program, so I didn't get to know any Argentinians my age.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have any healthcare issues, but for the people in my program that did, it seemed that the program took care of them immediately and connected them to the resources they needed to resolve their problems.

* Safety:

I felt very safe during the day, and I made sure to be in a group when I was out at night. We had some people get their phones stolen so you just need to be hypervigilant about your personal belongings.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

This program was more than I could have even imagined; I grew personally, intellectually, emotionally, academically... a truly transformative experience.

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)

The program stipend was helpful and the cost of living in Argentina was lower than I was used to so it felt reasonable.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $200-$300

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

All of our classes were in Spanish and our host families only spoke Spanish, so the language immersion was a primary component of the program.

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? intermediate spanish
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? Watch YouTube videos and TV shows before you get there just to get used to hearing and understanding the language.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Spanish language learning component
  • Host family component
  • The combination of classroom and experiential learning
* What could be improved?
  • maybe some more advanced topics?
  • n/a
  • n/a
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? n/a

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 Adventurer
The 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.