Becoming porteña: learning what it means to be from Buenos Aires Past Review
By Jaime Eisenbach (Hofstra University) - abroad from 02/06/2016 to 06/24/2016 with
Study Abroad Programs in Argentina
It was absolutely worthwhile. It's cheesy, but I learned who I was away from the family and friends that are so familiar. I learned a language that is more beautiful than ever. I learned about a new nation and truly learned more about my own nation. I can't think of anything that I didn't learn, honestly.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The way of learning was so interactive and probably the best way I got to practice my spanish. And the professors were amazing! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Literally perfect. I was so comfortable asking any questions or discussing any problems |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host mother was amazing. So sweet. I would not tarde her for anything. |
| * Food: |
Overall really good. A little repetitive at home, but no real complaints. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I feel like we got the perfect mix of tourist destinations as well as doing what the locals do. It was perfect. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Raul and my host mother were always on top of it whenever I was sick and always took care of the other students. |
| * Safety: |
If you're smart and listen to what the locals tell you, the city is decently safe. I wouldn't walk around late at night alone, especially on the weekends when people have been drinking. But I would say the same for all major cities. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The excursions were amazing. We got to see so much of Argentina and its amazing culture and history. The university and its professors were so helpful and caring. The students I was with are some of the best friends I have ever had. Everything exceeded my expectations. |
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) |
Overall it was easy once I learned the best places to eat and shop and best ways to travel. I would say if you do your research, it is super easy to live on $100/week |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | On average, probably $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do not spend too much the first few weeks. All of us went crazy and had a really hard time budgeting the last few weeks. It will be super exciting and overwhelming, but SAVE YOUR MONEY. That stuff will most likely still be around at the end and you may have better knowledge of where to get it cheaper. |
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 |
Toward the end, Raul only spoke to us in spanish, our host mother only spoke spanish, and the classes were so key to improving. Also we went to Maté Club almost every week which probably helped my spanish the most. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had completed all of the grammar classes in my university and some composition and reading classes |
| 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? | Speak it as much as possible. If there is one regret I have, it is not speaking it more with the people in my program. |
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? | Literally nothing. I went in with little to no knowledge/plans and I did more than I thought I would ever be able to. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
