Sol in BsAs: Size Does Matter Past Review
By Chris D (Spanish and Psych, Temple University) for
Study Abroad Programs in Argentina
Absolutely.
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. |
An easily manageable workload, opportunity to take more advanced classes in specific areas of study through the university or to take easier classes associated with better understanding of the language or the culture, easy to transfer credits back to my home university. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Although the university of Belgrano enrolls a large number of international students every semester, Sol's greatest advantage is that it is a small program and thus very versatile and supportive of desires to live independently. Whereas a larger program would not permit a student to leave their homestay because they had found another living situation that they wanted to experience, Sol's size and helpful staff make it possible to make a smooth transition from living with a family to living with friends, as happened in multiple instances throughout my experience. This brings up another of Sol's notable characteristics: their incredible staff. Engaging, comforting and helpful, Sol's staff is continuously reliable and very hospitable, often inviting students to share in holiday celebrations or to come to asados or shows outside of the program. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Sol was incredibly helpful in housing. I grew to have a good relationship with the family that I was set up with and the program fees that I paid to sol went into my pocket when I moved out to a living situation with lower rent. |
| * Food: |
Argentina has a lot of meat, but it also has a lot of pizza. Claims that one can't be a vegetarian in Buenos Aires are false, but I imagine it would be very difficult to be a vegan. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The obligatory trip to the Iguazu Falls coupled with the almost unheard of phenomenon in other programs of going out for dinner with the program on a Friday night. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Again program size and knowledgeable guides make Buenos Aires, which can be iffy at times, much more manageable. |
| 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) |
|
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Buenos Aires is full of English speakers, many of whom are international students or recent graduates, but it is also pretty hard to avoid using Spanish every day. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The most important aspect to to choosing what you want to do in this instance is knowing what you want to get out of it. |
