Enriching, enlightening life changing experience Past Review
By A student (Sociology., SUNY Purchase) - abroad from 06/04/2012 to 06/25/2012 with
Study Abroad Programs in Argentina
To be honestt, I didn't know what i was getting myself into. I knew for a while that my next challenge that I wanted to take on in college was to experience studying abroad. I have been overcoming social anxiety for years now and although i can step out my door with no problem, i know there were still obstacles to over come. It has been my dream to travel different countries, so this was the perfect opportunity to fulfill my goals. I never really understood what students who went abroad meant when they said it was "amazing" or it "changed them." but now I understand. Meeting new people, experiencing a culture completely different than my own, understanding what it means to be an outsider gave me a further understanding of what it feels like to come from somewhere else, and how people live about their daily lives. It gave me a new perspective on how to handle my daily situations. Learning about another culture made me realize how enormous the world is and how everyone is different and comes from different backgrounds. I was touched by the people i met and motivated by them. It has furthered my passion to help people.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Both classes were rigorous, but the Sociology one was more intense. I feel this balanced out the class time though, and that's not to say that the literature course was not difficult, just one was more intense than the other. I don't think I would have been able to survive 2 intense article reading courses! Having the classes compliment each other and going on trips relating to our classes gave me an experience of really feeling like i was not just learning about the exterior tourist perspective of Buenos Aires, but an actual historical look on how the people felt during the crisis, how they responded and how the goverment responded. This critical analysis was crucial in understanding the culture and the people. |
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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? |
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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: |
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| 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? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I truly recommend setting some money aside as soon as possible! Look for scholarships everywhere. The Gilman realyl helped me out. When you're looking to save money in the country, share cab rides with friends. Split dinner costs. Ask around for local places to eat and free things to do in the place you are visiting. If you can, bring as many snacks as you can from home. Having snacks saves a bunch on money. When you are exchanging your money for the country's currency, try to do so a little at a time so you are keeping track of your money and do so when it's at it's highest currency rate! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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| 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? | I wish i knew what was around the srea i was staying so i could have planned my activities better. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
