Best Semester at Villanova....in Argentina May 07, 2025
By Natalie S (Latin American Studies, Villanova University) - abroad from 08/15/2022 to 12/08/2022 with
SIT Study Abroad: Argentina - Social Movements and Human Rights
The biggest thing I learned was how to be confident in foreign language spaces and how to push myself with language acquisition.
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 have been studying Spanish practically my whole life so going into this experience, I had substantial experience learning, reading and talking in Spanish which was a huge boost in class. I know several of my classmates had very rudimentary Spanish but were still successful. The actual content is super interesting and the cohort is small enough that we had really engaging class conversations and easy access to the professors in the classroom. Also the classroom material only makes up half of the learning as we spend two weeks in the field. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The SIT Argentina staff are some of the most caring human beings. They are super welcoming and supporting throughout the program and are present every single day for each and every one of us. They are also super helpful after the fact - they have written me several letters of recommendation. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I did not have a great housing situation, but that was a one off situation I think. |
| * Food: |
Ok again, you are supposed to be fed by your host family and that was not positive for me. But outside of that the food is fantastic and because the economy is not great, prices are fairly inexpensive compared to US prices. I was vegetarian when I arrived and that was difficult only because I wanted to eat empanadas and the veggie ones were kinda slimy and when we traveled to the Mapuche communities, meat was easier. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I joined gym to swim most every day I was there, I tried to find a new cafe to study in every day and loved walking around the city and making use of the public transportation. I didn't make any local friends but I didn't really put myself in a position to do that. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I accessed therapy weekly, acupuncture weekly after the first month, and saw a osteopath. Everything was accessible and easy to pay for; the SIT staff coordinated the first contact with all three. |
| * Safety: |
No safety related incidents and nothing was stolen from me. Basically, don't be stupid, hold your bag on the subway, and don't go down streets with bad vibes. Its just a big city. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This study abroad launched two thesis, and became the basis of my Fulbright application that led me to getting my Masters overseas. As a personal, professional, and academic experience I am super grateful for taking the chance on this program. |
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) |
Very easy. I converted $500 when I first arrived and that lasted me most of the way through November. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Go when the market is really bad? Honestly, thats why it cost so little while I was there because the exchange rate was so favorable for Americans |
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 |
All coursework was in Spanish. I used Spanish 95% of the time. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Electives in Spanish (highest level at Villanova) |
| 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? | Try your best, and even when they talk back to you in English respond in Spanish |
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? | 0 |
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? | Personally, I would have liked to be in a better mental/physical state to best appreciate the program |
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! |
