Life-changing experience that I will carry with me forever Past Review
By Clare Milburn (Appalachian State University) - abroad from 08/29/2018 to 12/10/2018 with
SIT Study Abroad: Argentina - Transnationalism and Comparative Development in South America
I gained language skills and real, deep cultural understanding of the Southern Cone.
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. |
The classes were challenging but I learned so much. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our program directors were amazing! They were so helpful with everything from personal problems to classroom issues. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host parents were great!!! They fed me great food and helped me when I needed it. They were amazing hosts and they shared with me how hosting Buenos Aires culture is. |
| * Food: |
I really liked the food. However, it is very heavy. LOTS of meat and dinner is usually around 9:30pm. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Because the program travels so much and you take classes with Americans, it can be difficult to integrate with locals. If you make the effort to go out and meet people, it can be very easy to make local friends! People tend to be so nice and excited to talk to Americans. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had an experience when I needed to go to the doctor and my program got me in that day. Public healthcare in the country is free but we went to a private hospital to get in quicker. I was grateful for that. I needed the Yellow Fever vaccine to go to Brazil which can sometimes be on a backlog so make sure to get that early! |
| * Safety: |
The city can be very dangerous if you aren't cautious. People steal bags and purses often. Keep your bag on you at all times and your phone and wallet zipped up and you should be fine! Enjoy the nightlife and don't be too scared, just cautious! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
The dollar goes really far in Argentina. All meals are included in the program so you don't have to spend any extra money if you don't want to. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $20 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save up your money before you go so that you don't have to worry. Sometimes you may spend all of your lunch stipend and having some money saved up to splurge on nice lunch or a night out can be really helpful. Uber and the Subte is the cheapest transportation. You can buy empanadas for almost nothing at every block. |
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 |
I wish we were more encouraged to speak Spanish to each other from the beginning. All classes are in Spanish so your skills improve regardless but being more intentional about always speaking Spanish is important. |
| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 4000-level Spanish courses, however I never had to speak a lot in those classes. |
| 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? | Speak it to everyone! Don't let people speak English to you. |
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? | Nothing. I didn't know a lot but I didn't have any expectations so I loved it! |
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! |
