Mi vida porteña Past Review
By Rebecca Willenbrink (Western Kentucky University) - abroad from 02/23/2019 to 06/14/2019 with
Study Abroad Programs in Argentina
It was worthwhile, I learned how to be independent and bold. I also learned how to appreciate the culture of the country in which I was travelling.
Personal Information
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The courses were good, but because specifically tailored for an exchange program, not too rigorous or challenging. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on-site directors, Raul and Beatriz, were extremely helpful and welcoming. I always felt like I could talk to them about whatever I needed and our activities were always well-led and wonderful. |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my big host family! |
* Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Sometimes I felt a little detached from the culture just because I spent most my time with other exchange students from the program and the University, all who spoke English and the majority from the US. |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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* Safety: |
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If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
SOL was, based on other students' at the university programs, the most authentic and warm. I felt like we did a lot of local activities with a personal touch that the others did not have. |
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) |
It was a little difficult, because I think the average income / financial parental support of other students on the abroad trip was higher than mine and so I had to sacrifice a little to be able to continue to support myself and my daily activities more than I thought I would have to. |
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try not to go out every weekend at the beginning because it will drain your funds. Try and buy groceries instead of going out to lunch everyday. |
Language
* Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Some other students had a pretty beginner level of Spanish, so our directors would speak mainly in English for them. |
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
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? | Spanish 381 |
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? | Go to language-practice events, like Mate Club or Mundo Linguo. |
Other Program Information
* 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? |
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? | It is okay if you are not financially able enough to do all the same social events as everyone, just be smart and pick the events/trips you can and don't feel bad if you can't do everything. |
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! |