GAIN PERSPECTIVE. STUDY ABROAD. Past Review
By A student (Business Administration and Management, University of California - Riverside) - abroad from 12/29/2015 to 12/05/2015 with
Study Abroad Programs in Argentina
I was able to open my eyes to the culture of South Americans, and as well as the people across the world who I've met during my stay. I definitely improved my Spanish (as I was forced to speak and understand the language). I gained new friends from the states, around the world, and locals. I would love to go back down to South America and travel more (ie Galapagos Island, Uruguay, Chile, Patagonia, Bariloche). I would also love to hang out with friends I've made in Buenos Aires. Next time, I plan to bring some friends along with me and open their eyes to the world I once lived in.
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 had a GREAT time studying abroad with Sol Ed. The program made sure that its students are safe and have fun with their independence at the same time. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Raul was the best! He made sure that my stay and experience in Argentina went well. There was a time I ran out of money and could not withdraw through XOOM.com, and he allowed me to borrow from him during our trip to Mar de Plata. Raul is also very genuine and funny. He truly enjoys meeting students from different parts of the world and never runs out of energy. He is happy to introduce the beautiful culture of Argentina to foreigners, and is also always available on the phone in case you get lost. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I appreciated being taken in by a lovely host mother in Argentina. However, living with a host family is pretty much like living with a roommate/housemate. Be aware that you are living with an adult housemate with different background as well. It was a bit difficult for me to work with the way my host mother's household worked. Living with my host mom felt like living in with my parents back home. Not that it's a bad thing, but I wanted more freedom (with no strict house rules) while living in another country for a nice study abroad experience. I could not even invite a SOL Ed. mate I befriended in class to study for our Spanish final. |
| * Food: |
The Argentine taste in food is truly my type! They love eating meat and dislike spicy foods. I am a big fan of their empanadas and milanesas. Being back in the states makes me want to do research on good Argentine restaurants for me to try. My host mother seldom gave us meat though. For dinner, me and my roommate would receive salad (lettuce with chopped tomatoes and vinegar+olive oil) with tarta. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I love the culture of Argentina! Buenos Aires, however, is pretty similar to the city life here in the U.S. Stores would play American classics and pop songs. Joining the mate club and attending mundo lingo did help me gain perspective in how the locals think. Being Filipino in Buenos Aires did make me stand out as a foreigner and (although I did not want to) I was treated differently. I wanted to make conversations in Spanish, yet the locals would try converse with me in English instead. I'd feel horrible for not understanding at times if a local who cannot speak in English would speak to me in Spanish as well. There was a language barrier that certainly got in the way of me fully integrating myself in the local culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not need to use my health insurance during my stay abroad. The health insurance offered by SOL Ed. (which is also free) is certainly reliable. I did get a bad cough that would not go away for a few days (forcing me to attend the school clinic). Thankfully I did not get charged for that. |
| * Safety: |
ALWAYS use common sense. Of course, you are living in a country you know nothing or very little about. Like any developing cities, there will be people out there who will try to get their hands on your things. I did, unfortunately, lose my phone my 3rd week abroad (my own mistake). Just be smart about who you are meeting with and where are you are going. Pay attention to your surroundings and make sure you carry a copy of your passport and cash safely. DO NOT go to bars/clubs by yourself and go home with a stranger. Please. You want to have fun, but it's better safe than sorry. |
| 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) |
It was a bit difficult working with my student budget. I was forced to borrow money from a family member towards the end. Please bear in mind that you will be going out almost every day with new friends you meet abroad. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50-80/week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save A LOT of money before going. I was not able to do much traveling because of lack of proper finances. You also wouldn't want to end up having to call a relative up to borrow money for food. |
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 |
Our program director was understanding with my horrible Spanish, yet he also pushes me to at least be able to understand the language when spoken to me. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Filipino 3 |
| 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? | INTERACT. INTERACT. INTERACT. Don't be afraid to speak the language and ask if you don't understand something. |
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 should have saved up more money to be able to travel more of South America, and studied Spanish before my departure. Definitely would have made my life more fun and easier. |
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.' |
