Gratitude for the growing pains August 01, 2024

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were designed by the program rather than part of a local university. The classes were lecture-based and taught in Spanish by visiting experts from around Buenos Aires. There were group presentations after visits to relevant organizations. Two week-long educational excursions offered opportunities to explore life outside the capital city and meet indigenous activists. The intensity of the program was relatively high. There were only 6-7 weeks of classes before the month-long independent study project period or internship period. Class assignments were readings, a few brief quizzes before visits, a written midterm and final for each class. I was the only student who opted for a creative project-based independent study over an analytic paper. I still had to submit a 15-page report in Spanish about my research and conducted interviews with experts in my field. Towards the end of the program, the group checked in about how pedagogy in Buenos Aires differs from the US. Key takeaways were class length (4 hour lectures in most BA public universities compared to 1.5-2 hr discussion-based seminars in the US), participation expectations (interrupt with questions during the lecture in BA vs. discussion-based in the US). Also, we had some issues with many classes running longer than scheduled. Requests for academic accommodations should be made during the application process and then check in with your advisor during orientation or the first week of classes.

On-site administration of your program

Many thanks to Ana Laura, Eli, Gri, and Cata for organizing the program in-country. I learned that the new presidency added a lot of stress related to the program topics of human rights and social movements. The chicas (as they called themselves) worked hard behind the scenes to make the program as seamless as possible given the circumstances. Midway through, tension between some students and the administration cropped up. It was mostly resolved by the end of the program. Even still, we all cultivated a relatively solid community of students and administrators.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was highly satisfied with my host family placement. It wasn't set until the last day of orientation in-country after in-person interviews with each of us. We got along very well and into a morning and evening flow together. I felt very welcomed into my host family. The location took some adjustment because I lived above the train tracks. Every 5-10 minutes the apartment building rattled. Also, my apartment lost hot water and electricity a few times throughout my stay. That seems to becoming more usual as other students also reported this.

A lot of the cultural food revolves around heavy foods like empanadas, pizza, milanesa, and ham and cheese sandwiches. At merienda, you can expect to indulge in your fair share of medialunas (croissants coated in sugar) and café con leche or maté. Argentinian food is not picante (spicy). I recommend two great Mexican-style restaurants in San Telmo (La Fábrica Del Taco on Carlos Calvo) and Palermo (Juan Peddro Caballero Taqueria on Thames). Common shops are health food stores with mostly imported goods (read more expensive) and kioskos with local snacks and candy. I was only allowed to cook breakfast for myself. Your host family provides dinner and breakfast. You can alert them in advance if you've got other plans some nights. Dinner is later compared to the US, after 8pm. Various cheap lunch options (empanadas/buffet/pizza/cafés) are available near the school buildings.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The main way I integrated with the local culture was by learning Argentinian Spanish and picking up the accent from speaking with my host family every night and attending classes. However, I didn't foster many relationships with local people beyond my host family and the program administrators. I also did not partake in certain cultural practices. I opted for a more American breakfast (egg and toast) over the typical Argentinian breakfast (tostada con marmalada/queso crema y café con leche) since I'm lactose intolerant. I also didn't drink café con leche or maté since I've very sensitive to caffeine. I sought out free cultural events offered at the Centro Cultural Kirshner and parks around the city.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had to go to the hospital a few times for minor issues. The program's health insurance covers a guarantee of payment for some visits and reimbursement for other needs. This includes physical health issues or mental health resources. If taking any prescription medication, ask your healthcare providers to prescribe enough to cover the whole trip. Mailing medication through customs is not a viable option. There was a risk of dengue from a long wave of mosquitos. Another student who had previously had the disease got the preventative vaccine in-country, covered by the health insurance. I got travel vaccines prior to departure. However, since the program is based in a city, they were not ultimately necessary. Also, I set up access to mental health resources (ie a therapist, academic accommodations, and a gym to work out at), within the first week of the program. I conducted my therapy sessions in Spanish, but English was an option if needed.

4 students in my program had their phones stolen at the Día de Mujer protest, by the bus stop in Retiro at night, at a gay club in San Telmo, and another at a night club. We were all warned in orientation about the high level of pickpocketing. I would advise future students to keep their devices and money close to them and back them up. Watch out for feces left on the street. Also, as it's a city and there is a financial crisis, you will see lots of homeless people sleeping and asking for money. They are living their lives and if you have change to spare, they would appreciate it. On protest days, some public transportation systems would be down and the streets became super congested downtown.

Despite all the difficulties, I felt very cared for by the chicas and my host family.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

The program provides about $1000 in a stipend through a debit card. The stipend is splir into 4 different deposits of $200-$300 every 3 weeks or so. I spent about $100/week. Food and transportation are much cheaper compared to the US. The bus and subte are your friend during the day. Taxis at night (to bars) cost less than 5mil pesos ($6) each way for a 20 min ride. The program reimbursed taxis to and from the airport for the excursions and (if asked) reimbursed ~$50 for a few students who took more than 45 min on public transportation to get to class each day.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Although encouragement was high, students set a precedent during orientation to speak in English with each other outside of class. Out of respect, the administrators expected we speak in Spanish in the classroom building.

Select all that apply

• Host Family
• Hotel
• Hostel

Select all that apply

• Americans
• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Americans

• My host family
• My peers/The administration
• The ISP period

• Sticking to the schedule
• Making more clear the differences in pedagogy expectations
• Greater opportunities for discussion in class