Things I have learned so far...

Perhaps the most important thing which I have learned so far from experience: is that in Argentina especially in Buenos Aires, pedestrians do not have the right of way. It will be a miracle if I do not get run over by the end of this trip. One definitely must obey the old saying, look both ways before crossing the street.

Today was the first day of academic orientation. I definitely received an overload of information. Listening to someone speak in Spanish for three and half hours about important information which you are supposed to understand all of it is quit strenuous. I had to pay very close attention. When I would catch my mind wondering, I found that it had usually been wondering in Spanish which I believe is a very good sign that my language skills are progressing.

The university system is very different here. UBA (University of Buenos Aires) is the main public institution. It has over 100,000 students and anyone can attend it for free (at least that is my understanding). It has facilities all over Buenos Aires for different areas of study. UCA (The Catholic University) is obviously a private institution with fewer classes and a lot nicer facilities. Probably the main difference between these schools and universities in the United States is that there is no concept of campus. The school is housed in buildings on the street, and in the buildings there are classrooms - no gym, student union, dorms, or quads anywhere in sight. Postive differences that I can see so far: the class offerings here especially at UBA are great. There is actually a class on the University System and its flaws. No worries there are also plenty of classes that I can take to fulfill my major requirements. The level of Spanish I test into determines how many classes I can take at each institution. In case I forgot to mention, I also take classes at FLACSO (the Faculty of Latin American Studies), the host institution of the program. These classes will be with all the other foreign exchange students though.

Another positive difference about my study abroad program or the university system here ( I am not sure which allows for this to occur), there is a shopping period. In the shopping period, you take as many classes as you want at whatever institution. The purpoese of the period is to insure that you take classes which you are interested in. When the shopping period is over, you only take the classes which you want for the entire semester. I think all universities should have this policy especially for first year students.

Not that I plan to take full advantage of this, but I can take as many classes as want for the set fee of the program. No need to make my precious time to stressful!