A learning opportunity that i could only receive at this point in my life. Past Review
By laury.valdes (University of South Alabama) - abroad from 03/05/2012 to 06/22/2012 with
Study Abroad Programs in Argentina
how to become independent and responsible and yes it was worthwhile!
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. |
I learned so much about the country and the culture. I had one horrible professor, whom I learned nothing from. The work loads where also, reasonable. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
loved my host mother Teresa! she was an excellent host mom and would accommodate to my needs |
| * Food: |
The food provided was very unhealthy. Most things was baked not fried however there was no balance. some night we would only eat carbs, others only protein. I also learned that the food culture is very bland, that i did not like. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated. I held myself to the Argentine standard and continued my day. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
medicine was always available. |
| * Safety: |
I was warned not to go to some places and I didnt. I was told to hold my purse close to me and i did. I was also informed of how individuals where pick pocketed and avoided being that individual . |
| 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) |
I used 400 pesos per week. some times i would go over some times i would go under. my priorities where to keep my transportation card filled and my snacks replenished. I also had to go out on the weekends |
| * 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? | each week i would spend at least 200 pesos = 40 dollars |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Dont buy anything the first weeks you are there. you can look around to see what is cheaper and of good quality. Also to plan their trips way in advance! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
we could only speak in the foreign language at the house but when we where out at a daily activity we could use english. but we where talked to in spanish. |
| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | The highest my school could go. |
| 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? | use it all the time, even if people talk to you in english. also break away from the group and find your own friends from the country. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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? | How much was offered with the program. Not all programs do so much with their students. Also the comparison in size. |
