Finding Independence in Buenos Aires Past Review

By A student (Geography and Cartography., Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/24/2014 to 06/11/2014 with

SIT Study Abroad: Argentina - Transnationalism and Comparative Development in South America

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I would recommend this program to someone who is interested in both immersing themselves in Argentine culture, while intensely engaging with academic material on Development and Integration in Latin America.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* 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)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$100-150 (SIT provides lunch stipends)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Use public transportation (buses are the most accessible in BA)! Even though cabs are cheap they can quickly suck away your money.

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	Not as much encouragement as I would imagine there is in a Middlebury program (there wasn't a language pledge).
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
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	320
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?	Immerse yourself in your homestay life.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family Apartment
* 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?	Administration was transparent open to feed back Education-focused travel The homestay experience
* What could be improved?	Better Organization Stronger emphasis on Spanish
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I felt fully informed and prepared.

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 Networker An 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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Development
Course Department:	Interdisciplinary
Instructor:	SIT Instructors
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	Great material and interesting professors. This class will challenge your thinking towards development practices. A trip to Asuncion, Paraguay complements field trips within the city of Buenos Aires
Credit Transfer Issues:	No. However, again, I didn't try to make the credit count towards my major.

Course Name/Rating:	Research Methods and Ethics
Course Department:	Interdisciplinary
Instructor:	Nuria Pena
Instruction Language:	Spanish/English
Comments:	This course it designed to prepare you for your independent study. Although necessary, I found some of the material elementary and dull. By the end of the course I felt motivated and prepared to begin to conduct my own research project.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No.

Course Name/Rating:	Independent Study Project
Course Department:	Interdisciplinary
Instructor:	Individual Advisors Assigned
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This was the most rewarding aspect of my academic experience abroad. With unlimited support and resources you are able to design and carry out a research project of your choice. SIT has the connections to cater to your research interests.
Credit Transfer Issues:	Nope!

Course Name/Rating:	Regional Integration and Social Change
Course Department:	Interdisciplinary
Instructor:	Multiple SIT instructors
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This course was incredibly interesting and most relevant to the travel we did. We went to Uruguay and Brazil during the time of this course to see relevant Regional Integration institutions. The assessment was an oral exam which was the first I'd ever had. By nature of being a new type of assessment it was challenging, but nonetheless I felt well-prepared.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No issues. I did not attempt to have it count towards my major so I'm not sure what difficulties one might face there.