More than I could've ever hoped for! June 16, 2022
By A student (Social Work and Spanish, Bethel University) - abroad from 02/21/2022 to 06/06/2022 with
SIT Study Abroad: Argentina - Social Movements and Human Rights
I developed a much greater confidence in my abilities to be independent in a foreign setting. I also found a comfort with trying new things and getting to experience a new place that eventually became a home away from home for me. I also feel like the academic setting really pushed me to explore new ideas and to go deeper on the subjects I had been introduced to at home.
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. |
I thought the academics of this program really made it stand out for me! Unlike other international programs, with SIT you get to follow a cohort module with the students you're there with! We were pushed, challenged, and supported as we engaged in dialogue and projects. It can seem overwhelming at times, but so rewarding to leave having gained practical academic skills. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I absolutely adored our coordinators! Such incredible people with a huge passion for what they do. They are there if you need them, it's just a matter of reaching out. And we got to see them almost daily so that was really great because it made the relationship very personal. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was really impressed with the support we had on the homestay side of things! It was such a key part if my experience there and so valuable for me in my development of key language and cultural skills. |
| * Food: |
I personally had no complaints about the food! It's nice to be studying in a big city where there are lots of options. Many stores and restaurants accommodate most dietary restrictions. You can find practically any type of food there if you look hard enough! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It's a busy program and for that reason I felt I didn't meet as many local students as I had thought I would. Partly due to being surrounded by students from the U.S and also with the amount of activities I engaged with. I feel otherwise I adapted quickly to the flow and culture of the city. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no specific experience with health issues, but on a COVID end I was impressed with access to testing, vaccines, and support if/when a quarantine was needed. |
| * Safety: |
It's a big city so it's generally very important to always be aware and use common sense. I was surprised with how safe I generally felt, but we did make sure to take taxis in groups or to not be in certain areas of the city when it got dark. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
For me, it was the perfect fit! Engaging subjects that I had a huge passion for, great support from the coordinators, and a positive homestay and internship experience! We also went on trips to Patagonia, the north, and Uruguay which were some major highlights. |
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) |
We had breakfast and dinner with our homestays but lunch was on our own (which we were given a stipend for). Most things in Buenos Aires are very affordable for foreigners so I ended up having lots of money leftover at the end of each month. Lots of free things to do in Buenos Aires and when there's an event or outing you want to pay for, it's almost a third of what you would pay in the U.S. I went to concerts, on a weekend trip with a friend, and did lots of shopping barely dipping into my own savings. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably $15 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Join Facebook groups about free activities or events in the city! Specifically for Buenos Aires look into what the Blue dollar rate is and make sure to pay in cash to save money. Bring U.S dollars down to convert, and use Western Unions like they're your best friends. ATM's are not the way to go. |
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 were encouraged but it was hard sometimes when it was all of us students together and we had different levels of Spanish. We probably could've been better about using Spanish around eachother. Our classes, homestay experiences, and trips were all in Spanish. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| 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? | Take advantage of your homestays to practice and write down all the words or phrases you're learning. Also, if you don't understand something, ask! It can be overwhelming at first but it definitely gets easier. |
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? | It will be chaotic at first but do your best to be grateful for the experiences you're having and to soak up every minute. |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
