Argentina Fully Loaded. UT, Language and Culture in Cordoba Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

By far the most educationally valuable experience was just being there. Learning the language, the culture, the way people think, communicate and react to one another not only taught me a language but opened my eyes to the way the world works.

On-site administration of your program

From the beginning, every part of our program office was there for any and every little need we might have. Susanna, one of the program directors, was the most helpful and personal of all the directors. She was more or less our mom away from home for everyone in the program.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in Alta Cordoba, about 15 minutes by car away from the center. I was lucky to be placed with an incredible family that allowed me complete freedom but at the same time helped involve me in all family affairs to become more accustomed to the culture. They were artists, musicians and some of the most beautiful people I have ever met. I felt safe, my room was full equipped, mattress great, small heater, my own bathroom and felt perfectly at home.

Argentina has some great food. They have asados (argentinean barbeques), choripan (a sausage sandwhich type thing), mate (tea), alpaca, great beef (make sure to try the lomo)....... but... there is very little variety. Everyone in our program got bored with food options a couple months after arriving. I'm no fan of fast food, so don't think that was the problem. The fact is that Argentina just has very few options.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Going out to boliches (clubs) about 4 days out of the week was an incredible experience. Argentineans are much more passionate about their night life than americans. Your average college student will start partying at 12:00 a.m. and get home at about 6-6:30 in the morning. Program trips: our trips were great, but I strongly encourage every exchange student to do their own backpacking. I took 3-4 trips each semseter to different parts of Argentina, backpacked for 3 1/2 months between semesters through Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Brazil, and spent my last month in South America working in a hostel in Santiago de Chile. If you want to see the real Latin America, learn the language and the culture... travel! and if you want to maximize that experience.. travel alone!

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The worst that will happen is getting robbed, and in this situation... you give them your money and then they leave. Not in my entire year was I ever robbed or assaulted. There was one instance of a camera being taken from my bag, but I had left my bag in a bus unattended. Several of my friends were robbed, but no one was ever assaulted. The key is not being flashy. If you aren't wearing expensive jewelry and holding your ipod for everyone to see, you probably won't be bothered.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I practiced Spanish with my host family, argentinean friends and in class w/ professors. Hardly anyone spoke English which was helpful. We exchange students all found it hard not to speak English amongst one another. My best advice is to avoid other americans AT ALL COSTS. As tempting as it might be to form these awesome relationships with other students from your university.. DONT. The best strategy is to, from the beginning make argentinean friends and try to spend the majority of your time with them. Also, spending only one semester will do little to improve your fluency. Depending on previous experience, you'll probably leave with a slightly conversational spanish, but it you want fluency, you need to stay a full academic year.

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• Host Family