There's no better way to experience life than to travel! Past Review
By Kaylee (University of Wisconsin - Whitewater) - abroad from 12/27/2017 to 01/12/2018 with
Study Abroad Programs in Argentina
I think the biggest thing I gained while I was there was independence. Going to college and being on your own is nothing compared to going to a different country and being on your own. It was 100% worthwhile.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The Spanish classes we took at Academia were amazing! The course was difficult but I've never learned more Spanish in my life! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All of the Administration while I was there were the best! They were constantly around if you had any questions or concerns about your time there. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved living with a host mom! Personally, I think it may have been more fun if it were just my roommate and I but we were able to learn even more Spanish while at home. |
| * Food: |
The food there is amazing!! And to add onto that, it's healthy too! There was nothing there that I didn't like. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
When I left Buenos Aires, I felt like I was leaving a home. I feel like if I went back I would still be able to navigate around the city by myself. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No problems at all! |
| * Safety: |
There was never a moment when I felt unsafe. My roommate and I had walked home after a night out and never felt threatened or endangered. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I love SOL Education Abroad as a program! I have already registered to travel to Costa Rica and plan to go to Spain with SOL again! |
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 isn't overly expensive when you are there because of the exchange rate but the money does add up when you eat out almost everyday. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | In US dollars, it was roughly $100 a week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save a paycheck or two solely for spending money! You don't want to be stressed about money while taking classes in a new country. |
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 |
SOL always told us that we should talk in Spanish as much as we possibly could while we were there because that was our time to learn the language. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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 took Spanish classes all four years in high school and took one 200 level course in college. |
| 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? | Talk in Spanish while you're with your SOLmates as well! It's a great learning experience to struggle through the language together because chances are, if you're confused on a word, someone will be able to help you. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Buenos Aires is a huge city and I'm definitely a small town girl. I wish I would've known how big of a change it was going to be. |
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.' |
