I Can't Wait to Go Back to Argentina! Past Review
By James T (Economics and International Business, Villanova University) for
St. Mary's College of Maryland: Buenos Aires - Semester in Argentina
Coming out of this program, I feel more confident as an individual than I have ever felt in my life. In addition to the incredible knowledge I have gained and the language skills I have developed, I have gained self-confidence and a better understanding of my own identity.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
My academic experience in Buenos Aires was incredible. I went into the program without having studied Spanish since high school. The program included a homestay and front-loaded the Spanish class into the first month, allowing me to immerse myself in the language and learn it quickly. The other classes were all taught in Spanish, but the professors were aware that we were not native speakers and made a conscious effort to ensure that we understood what was being taught. The classes were small and engaging. I left with a far greater understanding of not only Argentina, but of the entire world outside of the United States. All assignments were helpful and do-able. All grades were fair. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Strengths: Academics, Cultural Activities, Homestay. Weaknesses: none come to mind. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing situation was ideal. I would not change a thing. Family was incredible. There were other students living with the family as well from several different places around the world. I always felt safe, happy, and comfortable. |
| * Food: |
My host parents, Luciano and Maria, are incredible chefs. I miss their cooking. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Trips to Salta and Iguazu were INCREDIBLE. Pecha Kucha night was fun and inspired me to develop my language skills. Thanksgiving Dinner was a beautiful day were everyone in the program came together. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I had no health issues. I was always informed of health resources and what to do should health problems arise. I always felt safe and comfortable. |
| 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 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Almost all daily interactions with my homestay parents and professors were in Spanish. Daily interactions around the city were also almost exclusively Spanish. Contact with other students was often in English, though occasionally in Spanish when we were feeling ambitious. |
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 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? | Eat as many alfajores, empanadas, and choripans as you can get your hands on. They are cheap and delicious. If you get home from a weekend night out before the sun is up, you did it wrong. |
