Memories of a lifetime! Past Review

By Katie O (Business Administration, Ithaca College) - abroad from 02/03/2012 to 07/31/2012 with

SSA Education Abroad: Córdoba - Semester, Year or Summer in Argentina

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

I learned a lot about the local culture and how it is possible to live with minimal materialistic items and with less space. I personally do not need 80% of the items in my room and I also feel more appreciative of how easy living is in the US. It was a challenging and worthwhile experience overall.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here:	UNC
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Our director didn't seem to pay individual attention to us. She spoke at the group as if we were each experiencing the same things.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	After switching housing assignments 3 times, I finally found a great family!
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Between me host sister and our speaking partners, I believe we received an accurate cultural experience.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	Personally, I never used the health insurance but a friend said the medical attention was good and doctors were willing to make house calls as needed.
* Safety:	I walked throughout the city in groups which was the safest thing to do. Occasionally I heard of a single female walking alone (night OR day) and she would get robbed but almost always physically unharmed.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	No

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)
* Was housing included in your program cost?	Yes
* Was food included in your program cost?	Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	about $50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	plan out your trips in the beginning!

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
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?	Intermediate Spanish Conversation
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?	Talk to everyone. everywhere.

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 International Students
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?	My family The Speaking Partner component The 30 additional USA students we could share our experience with
* What could be improved?	The program director's ability to be more available The uniformity of the housing assignments A complimentary/discounted bus pass.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I fortunately had a contact in Argentina to ask questions to before I left.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Latin American Culture
Course Department:	PECLA
Instructor:	Carolina
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	Although the material was somewhat interesting, the manner of presenting it was one long lecture. The professor was attentive and sweet but the course was boring. Exams were all in written-essay form and some we were able to use notes on.
Credit Transfer Issues: