The Quest for Independence Past Review
By Kevin M (Childhood/Special Ed, Spanish, SUNY - College at Geneseo) - abroad from 03/22/2012 to 07/18/2012 with
SUNY Geneseo: Cordoba - Universidad Nacional de Cordoba
I really feel like I have come to understand how I function as a human being. This was a really important 4 months for me because I feel much more competent and confident. To be independent and do it all in Spanish makes me know that life in the USA (in English) will be easy in comparison.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Professors at UNC are extremely helpful and love hearing from the international students. There is a brand new library in the Facultad de Lenguas and the atmosphere is great for learning the Spanish language. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Advisors of the Facultad de Lenguas are extremely helpful and welcoming. They don't feel like advisors, more like friends. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living with a family might have been the best part of the experience: it really immerses you in the culture. |
| * Food: |
The food is great: lots of sweets and lots of meats. It does get a little repetitive, but that's the cuisine here. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The people of Córdoba might be some of the most welcoming I have ever encountered. Forever curious about foreigners, it's difficult not to get involved with the locals and become immersed in their lifestyles. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I frequently get sick, and of course I did after around three weeks. The doctors were incredible: the medicine was readily available and extremely cheap. I also had a few sinus infections, but the system here is fantastic and makes it easy for even foreigners to obtain medicines. |
| * Safety: |
Never felt unsafe during my stay. However, it is a large city, and like any other large city you have to take precautions. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
If you budget yourself properly, you can go a whole week spending almost no money. If you eat meals at home and obtain a free bus card for students (and avoid the shopping centers!). |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $20-$120 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try not to give in to all the temptations! Wherever you go, you can spend almost all of your money if you are not careful. |
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 |
Argentina lies far away from countries whose predominant language is English. Therefore, very few people here speak it and it forces you to practice your Spanish. That being said, if you spend all of your time with other English speakers from other programs, you won't learn as much! |
| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 300-level Spanish courses |
| 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 to the locals! Cordobans love foreigners. The most important thing is to gain confidence and just talk: it doesn't have to be perfect. You will not get better if you don't practice. |
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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | You can ride the bus for free if you are a student, you can join any clubs/sports at the university, you can volunteer elsewhere in the city simultaneously |
