Excellent Overall Experience Past Review
By Erin W (Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American/Chicano Studies., Davidson College) - abroad from 02/23/2014 to 06/09/2014 with
SIT Study Abroad: Argentina - Social Movements and Human Rights
I learned a lot. In terms of academics, I learned a lot about Argentine history and improved my spanish greatly (although not from class so much as from interacting with local people). I feel as though I became a lot more independent and brave in terms of pushing myself and not being afraid to take risks and learn from my mistakes.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were uneven, varying between interesting and boring depending on the topic and the professor. The weekly field excursions and the two longer educational trips to different parts of the country were excellent. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The head director and assistant director were both incredibly welcoming and friendly. The only complaint I had was that things were always somewhat disorganized. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was nervous about living with a host family, but my family was great. Talking with my family was one of the things that most helped me improve my spanish. |
| * Food: |
The food was fine, but not anything exciting. I am vegetarian, so that made things somewhat difficult as Argentina is a big meat-eating country. However, the program was very accommodating with different diets which I really appreciated. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt as though I really was able to be immersed in the local culture, especially during the independent study part of the program. You do have to make an effort though; it will definitely pay off! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I can't really comment on this one because I never had any health problems during the program. Other people in my group did though, and their problems seemed to be handled well. |
| * Safety: |
I am used to big cities, and therefore knew what to expect. Buenos Aires did not seem to be any more "dangerous" than a large American city. Just be aware of your surrounding and keep your valuables secure, and you'll be fine. |
| 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) |
I was careful with budgeting my money, and I ultimately spent much less than I would during a normal semester at my college in the US. The exchange rate with the peso is currently very good, which definitely helps. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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 |
| 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? | Talk with people! Your host family, taxi drivers, waiters, friends, anyone you can. |
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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| 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? |
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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? | I wish that we had more information ahead of time about exactly what the expectations were. Don't be afraid to be slightly pushy about asking questions if you want to know something, because it is the only way you are going to get the answer you want. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
