Argentina and the Southern Cone--MIND-BLOWING Past Review
By Katie L (Int'l Studies, Spanish, Chinese, Trinity University) for
SIT Study Abroad: Argentina - Transnationalism and Comparative Development in South America
I feel like my whole view of the world has been flipped upside down. I feel so much more comfortable with who I am as a person and I have a new passion and excitement for what I hope to do with the rest of my life.
Review Photos
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. |
SIT prides itself on "experiential learning," which was absolutely amazing. Each week we had an excursion so that we could actually see the ramifications of what we were learning in class. We also spent a week in a rural homestay, a week in Brazil, and a week in Paraguay visiting everywhere from museums to organics farms, to slums. Unlike Trinity, I didn't spend much time pouring over textbooks, but rather it was more of a holistic, world view-changing type of learning. AMAZING. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was very small, so everything ran very smoothly. They are very attentive to detail and the program is very specialized and personalized. The directors have amazing connections within Argentina and outside of the country as well. I even got to interview the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Education of Argentina for my final project because of the connections with my program. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The program arranged my homestay in a gorgeous apartment in Recoleta, one of the most beautiful areas of the city. I lived with my host mom and host sister (28) and got along super well with them. They were what helped me most with my Spanish. |
| * Food: |
It would definitely be hard to be a vegetarian in Argentina since they're so known for their beef, but it's definitely possible. The food overall is amazing. Very Italian with lots of pizza and pasta. Empanadas can be found everywhere and are super cheap and delicious! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The nightlife and culture of Buenos Aires is amazing. There's never a lack of something to do and you can find pretty much anything you want. Tango, soccer games, clubs, fairs, etc. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I had to go to the eye doctor several times and it was SO easy. Way easier than in the US. I just payed a flat fee and they saw me within 30 minutes. The only safety issues I encountered were petty theft. Several of my friends had their wallets stolen on the subway or on the street. There was never anything violent though. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I probably spent about $50-$100 a week depending where I was and what I was doing. I spent a lot less when I was in the city and the program gives you a stipend for lunches, which was really nice. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Visas to other countries can be expensive if you travel. SIT takes care of the travel included in the program, but I went backpacking in Chile afterwards and the visa was pretty expensive. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
The homestay was a great way to practice Spanish, but there was a varying degree of Spanish skill within the students, so we ended up speaking more English than I would've liked. My Spanish definitely improved, but if you're looking for complete fluency, I think direct enrollment in a university is the only way to achieve that. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | This program is perfect for passionate students who want to learn how to use their skills and knowledge to make a positive impact on the world. I suggest that you take full advantage of the opportunities this program offers and work your butt off--it'll be worth it! |
