Argentina has a very "European" culture. I loved every moment of my semester Past Review
By Jordan (Economics., Rice University) for
Universidad Nacional de Cuyo: Mendoza - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was the most worthwhile experience of my life. Not only did I greatly improve my Spanish skills, but I had the chance to live like an Argentine for 5 months. The relationships I developed with Argentines expanded my world view, and helped me view history and various world events from a different perspective. Furthermore, spending a month alone in Bariloche before my official study abroad program began was a great opportunity to develop my independence and confidence as a traveler.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Universidad de Congreso |
| The term and year this program took place: | Spring 2008 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The in-country IFSA-Butler staff was fantastic! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lived with a wonderful Argentine couple in the center of Mendoza. <br /><br /> The host family was fantastic, the location was perfect...biking distance from class, and a 1 minute walk from the bars. The family's apartment was small but adequate. |
| * Food: |
Argentine food is amazing- Argentines drink delicious Mendocino wine 2 times a day, lunch and dinner, how can you beat that! Argentina is a meat-lover's dream, but does not understand vegetarians very well. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Touring wineries was fun. Argentina is a beautiful country with endless cities and places of natural beauty to visit. I spent a month in San Carlos de Bariloche before the semester began, which was great. I traveled to Salta, among other places, which was a highlight. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
There was a bank robbery on my street while I was there, and some of the girls in the program had an incident, but as a male I felt safe enough to walk around alone at night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | The US dollar is quite strong in Argentina. A liter of beer at a grocery store is $US 1. A nice steak dinner is ~$US 12-15. Use Skype to call home...I spent $7 in 6 months. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget in money to travel. It would be a shame to come all the way down to Argentina and not see a good portion of the country. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I spoke mostly Spanish, so my Spanish improved. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The 5 months I spent in Mendoza were some of the best of my life. Go to Mendoza and forget your "American" identity for 5 months and you will have the unique opportunity to get an inside look into a fantastic way of life. |
