Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

My Sol Education Abroad Experience in Buenos Aires, Argentina Past Review

By (University of Houston) - abroad from 07/20/2019 to 08/16/2019 with

Study Abroad Programs in Argentina

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained knowledge of the Spanish language and the culture and society of Argentina. It was definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My overall educational experience with Sol Education Abroad was great! The institution that I attended abroad was very welcoming and provided me with all of the resources that I needed. I learned a lot in my classes and the instructors were very helpful and patient.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The on-site administrators for Sol Education Abroad were great! They were very helpful and accommodating and were always there if I needed anything or had any questions. The program schedule was organized well and the administrators made sure that everything went smoothly.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I really enjoyed my living arrangements while studying abroad with Sol Education Abroad. Sol arranged for me to live with a host family and my host family was very welcoming and accommodating and I felt very comfortable throughout my stay.

* Food:

The host family that Sol Education Abroad arranged for me to stay with provided me with meals and always made sure that I was not hungry and that I was enjoying the food that they made for me.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My host family arrangement as well as the on-site program administrators for Sol Education Abroad definitely helped me to feel more integrated with the local culture. They gave us a comprehensive guide to understanding the local culture, getting around the city, and important things to know when in public.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have any health issues while abroad but Sol Education Abroad provided me with International Health Insurance in case there were any issues while I was abroad.

* Safety:

Buenos Aires was overall a very safe city. The on-site administrators made sure to provide us with the knowledge necessary to avoid any potentially unsafe neighborhoods and to avoid being pick-pocketed.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I would choose to still study abroad with Sol Education Abroad in Argentina because it was a great experience.

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)

I was easily able to live in Buenos Aires on a student's budget, costs were very minimal.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $60
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? As always, it helps to keep track of your spending and plan ahead for meals, trips, purchases, and other expenses.

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

Sol Education Abroad encouraged me to use Spanish in every situation that I was able to.

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Beginner II
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? It is very helpful to stay immersed in your foreign language outside of the classroom by continuing to speak in the foreign language during personal encounters, and watching TV shows and movies, reading books, and listening to music in the foreign language.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • I liked learning Spanish the most.
* What could be improved?
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known more about the country before going there.

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 Linguist
You 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!