Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Unique experience throughout the southern cone. Past Review

By (Claremont McKenna College) - abroad from 02/25/2019 to 06/10/2019 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 gained knowledge about the world and the intricacies of relationships between countries and the people in these countries. I really thought it was worthwhile, as I learned about the places we were in and about myself.

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.

The program material was challenging and provided an opportunity to learn from people directly involved in the topics studied.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

All of the program administrators were extremely helpful and made it a priority to assure that the students felt safe and ready to confront this new environment.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Students were placed in a host family, and I felt that my host family was chosen for me after thorough thought. I had a great experience with my family and felt that I was truly welcomed.

* Food:

The food in Argentina is decently good, but it may get repetitive after a time. My host family provided breakfast and dinner, and it was nice to enjoy home cooked meals that varied (due to my host mother's willingness to eat different things).

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt that there were a decent amount of opportunities to become integrated, but this is something that one has to work on individually, of course. I believe that host families are one of the best ways to begin this process, which definitely occurred with mine.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I believe that the program administrators greatly helped with health issues, although I did not need medical attention during my time there. One does need the yellow fever vaccine in order to enter Brazil, so it is indeed a requirement.

* Safety:

I felt very safe in the city, although as in any large city, there is petty crime like stealing cellphones or wallets. One should just learn how to better protect oneself against these types of incidents, as well as learn where not to be during what hours.

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)

SIT provided a stipend that would help with expenses, so the amount of money one spends depends on how they handle this stipend and the time of activities one takes part in.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 25

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

Administrators would often speak to us in Spanish, and the courses were all in Spanish. They did a very good job with this, but still allowed for English to be used so that grave miscommunications would not occur between the administration and the students.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
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? Try to speak amongst yourselves in order to learn. People always say this and don't do it, but if you are really about learning the language, try to use it as much as possible.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • Host family
  • Travel
  • Classes
* What could be improved?
  • Communication
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known how much Argentina and Buenos Aires had to offer so that I would have planned my time there more efficiently.

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 Linguist
You 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!