Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An unforgettable semester Past Review

By (Gender and Sexuality Studies, Davidson College) - abroad from 08/29/2017 to 12/12/2017 with

SIT Study Abroad: Argentina - Social Movements and Human Rights

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about how organizing is so ingrained in Argentina, and how that translates to a very different political culture than we have the in the United States. With that being said, it made me consider more deeply what it means to be from the United States, and the conceptions I have of certain things that culturally specific. Personally, I learned about what it was like to be alone and be okay with being alone.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I had an amazing time with this program. I was challenged to think not only during the program, but during our educational/cultural excursions as well.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administration for this program was tied as my favorite thing along with my homestay experience. They were helpful, kind, intelligent and basically served as everything from our academic advisors to our second moms & friends.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my home stay family. They tried to integrate me in the things they were doing and went out of their way to prepare and plans things for me to do.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Staying with a host family was key to feeling apart of the local culture. I was lucky enough to become close with my host sister and she took me out with her and her friends often.

* 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

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)

Going out to eat got expensive, as well as traveling to different provinces in free time.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? i suggest buying your own food for lunch and packing it with you to bring to class, as opposed to eating out for lunch every day.

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

We decided as a program that we could only use Spanish in our academic buildings, and when we were on the street. This was more immersive and helped a ton for thinking like a native speaker and fitting in to the culture.

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? SPA 311
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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

  • Americans
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?
  • coordinators
  • home stay experience
  • independent research project
* What could be improved?
  • food (vegetarian options are not the best in host country)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew to bring "going out" shoes. Some bars/restaurants turned me away for not having closed toed, dressy shoes, so I had to buy some in Argentina.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!