A semester of learning Past Review
By April Bullard (Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) - abroad from 09/03/2016 to 12/08/2016 with
Study Abroad Programs in Argentina
Not only was I able to improve my language skill and learn about a new and beautiful country, I was also able to learn a lot about myself. People always say that if you go abroad, your outlooks on your life and your future change and I can now say I agree with this 100%. When you go abroad you learn things about yourself you never knew, you realize what you want in life, and you learn how to be happy and confident on your own. It is worth every penny, every tear, and every fear. I would recommended anyone to go abroad because it is a life changing experience.
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. |
I loved my classes. The teachers were so kind and seemed excited to be working with us. There was only of three of us in my class which was a huge change coming from a school where average class size is 100, but I loved it. |
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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? |
My host mom was incredibly sweet! I loved getting to talk to her after class and it was great way to practice Spanish. |
| * Food: |
It was hard to get used to the food, the portions are a lot smaller and their food if kind of bland. |
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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: |
Although I never experienced it personally- the only problems I ever heard about was phone thefts in nightclubs. Overall, I never felt a personal threat to my safety. If you go out at night don't show off your phone and make sure it's in a spot not easily pick pocketed. My guy friends were always able to walk around at night on their own, but we always made sure girls stayed in groups. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program was amazing! It was very well organized and the director was always available to help. The excursions were well planned and the price for what you got was amazing. |
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) |
A lot more expensive than I was expecting, definitely tell students to save their money well. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150-200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat cheap during the week and splurge on weekends! Also, choose experiences like traveling over fancy meals and going out at night. |
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 |
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| 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? | Advanced |
| 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? | Try and find activities that encourage using the language, in Argentina there were a lot of programs that held weekly events for foreign students to practice. Facebook is a great help for finding things. stay with a host family!!! |
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? | 0 |
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? | Sometimes I wish I had gone through a program that wasn't involved so much with other students from America, because of this I didn't become friends with a lot of locals. However the friends I made I know will be in my life forever. |
