A great summer Past Review
By Aaron GomeZ (Canada College, College of San Mateo, Skyline College) - abroad from 07/08/2017 to 07/28/2017 with
Study Abroad Programs in Argentina
A new understanding of South America culture and a brief grasp of Latin America.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The guide my group had was hilarious. I enjoyed his never ending good spirit and his laid back sense that I learned was as common in Buenos Aires as asado restaurants. Our experiences were made several times better because of guide Kevin was such a fun guy. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Amalia was a sweet woman. She treated my friend and I like family and I truly enjoyed her. Her cooking was delicious and went beyond what I had expected. |
| * Food: |
The food was very unique in Argentina. It wasn't seasoned or flavored like much of the food I eat in the United States it was different. But I thoroughly enjoyed it and have grown a new respect for the Argentinian cuisine. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Not very much so. I felt like an outcast especially considering my Spanish speaking skills were undeveloped. The accent in Buenos Aires really threw me off and made it difficult to communicate with the locals and a get a better sense of the city. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
The city always felt safe even when traveling at night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
Finances
|
* 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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around $10" |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Use the cafe that is given to the students. It saves money and makes budgeting easier. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | AP Spanish |
| 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? | To not speak your native language very much. Even though it's comfortable the best way to immerse yourself is to speak the language as much as possible. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | A few things about Argentinian culture so it wouldn't have been such a culture shock when I arrived. |
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.' |
