La Argentina: Just do it Past Review
By Taylor P (HISTORY., Birmingham-Southern College) for
SSA Education Abroad: Córdoba - Semester, Year or Summer in Argentina
This is the same cliche question I feel like everyone wants to know, but it is true that it really does broaden your understanding and change how you see the world. Doing this really planted a seed in me, and I can not wait to get out of the States again.
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. |
I liked the PECLA classes and my class at the UNC. The PECLA course material was interesting and has made me very interested in continuing with Latin American studies, but it was not so demanding as to preclude me from being able to do other htings outside of school, which to be honest were the best part. My course in the university ended up being fantastic, I had a lot of trouble when I began but my class mates were extremely kind and helpful. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Both the main administrators with CCCS in Córdoba were fantastic. I can not say enough about how helpful they were and generally just great people. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing was arranged by CCCS and it was awesome, very helpful people within CCCS and the host family was great, I still talk to my host mom every week. |
| * Food: |
I loved Argentine food, Asado, empanadas, everything. As far as dietary restrictions, I think it would be hard to be Vegetarian/Vegan but there was one girl I met that did it. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I always felt safe in Córdoba and never had any problems. Like everywhere else in the world, you have to be aware of your surroundings and conscious of what is going on around you. As far as health care, I had to go to a clinic one time for a vaccine and had no problems whatsoever. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
One of the great things about Córdoba was that there really were not many people outside of the CCCS program that spoke English, so it forced you to speak a lot of Spanish and learn. By far the most helpful thing for learning Spanish was my host family. I spent as much time speaking with them as possible and I think it really paid off. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I thought this was a great program for me being where I was. I learned a lot of Spanish without being completely overwhelmed and enjoyed all the people I got to meet. I loved Córdoba, in part because it was not a popular tourist destination so it felt much less contrived than more popular destinations like Buenos Aires might have. |
