The Best Semester Past Review
By Charlotte Scharfenberg (University of Virginia) - abroad from 02/26/2019 to 06/11/2019 with
SIT Study Abroad: Argentina - Social Movements and Human Rights
It was more than worthwhile - it changed my perspective, my goals, my sense of the world, and my view of myself. I am so grateful for the people I met along the way who I know call friends.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I have only superlatives with which to talk about my time with SIT in Argentina. I learned so much, in and out of the classroom and loved the classes we took, especially as we met with so many local organizations. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrative team could not be kinder or more inspiring. They were my rocks and my role models. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
This program has a home stay for its duration - you are carefully matched with your family to ensure that you are happy and checked in with to make sure that you are still doing well. I loved my host family and still talk to my host mom all the time. |
| * Food: |
Argentina has so many yummy treats, steaks, ice creams, wines haha. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
In terms of integration with my host family and our program coordinators, I felt incredible and welcomed into so many local spaces. That being said, you will not make Argentine friends unless you put yourself in situations to do so! I do now have Argentine friends and am so grateful for them :) |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I went to the hospital while in Buenos Aires and all of my treatment was incredible. My homestay coordinator met me and my host mom at the hospital and stayed with me until we had a plan figured out. She checked in many times after, as did all the other program coordinators. |
| * Safety: |
Petty crime is prevalent. Be very careful with your belongings while walking on the street. Do not use your iPhone while strolling down the sidewalk! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
1000% I would go back tomorrow! |
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) |
Easy, you are given a stipend every couple of weeks. |
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 |
We spoke Spanish for all academics and trips of the program and with our host families. The only time we spoke in English was while with other SIT friends and that was a choice! Some people committed to only speaking Spanish during the semester. |
| 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? | 3400 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Talk to your host family all the time :) Ask them to tell you stories! |
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? | Just to enjoy - do not get too caught up in the flurry and fury of academics, stay present and have fun. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
