Experience report
ANR: 370251
Name: Koen Olsthoorn
E-mail: koenolsthoorn@hotmail.com
Exchange semester: Aug 14 – Dec 14
Academic year: 3rd year Bachelor
Host University: Universidad del CEMA
Country: Argentina
TOPIC: Admission, arrival, housing
How was your arrival organized? Did someone pick you up from the airport/station? Was an
orientation or introduction activity organized? How was accommodation organized? Does the
university provide you with accommodation? What kind of accommodation does the university
provide? Did you have to book your accommodation in advance or did you have to search for a place
to live after you arrived?
I was being picked up by a friend who I had met in Tilburg the year before. He was the main driver
behind my choice for UCEMA. We had an orientation at the university, which was quickly after my
arrival and just before start of classes. May and Facundo are the two exchange coordinators and they
take excellent care of the group the entire semester. The informal atmosphere is great and they can
help you with anything you need. They are fluent in English beside the encouraged language
Spanish. The university provides you with a housing database, which is a bit outdated and not used
by anyone I know. Through a friend I was able to arrange accommodation. Recommended is to stay
in a hostel the first few days and arrange the accommodation on the spot.
TOPIC: Location of university/city
Please describe the city you lived in. Where is the university located in the city? What is the best
place to go to eat/drink/dance/do sports/etc.? What are interesting things to see and do in your host
city? What was different than in Tilburg?
Buenos Aires is an amazing city and after visiting Sao Paulo en Santiago and hearing stories about
Lima it felt like the best choice for me. Every neighbourhood is different from each other and has its
own charm. Palermo is the most popular and biggest of them all. Here many clubs, bars, restaurants
and shops can be found. The place to be in Buenos Aires (Recoleta is also nice). This is also where I
lived and what is highly recommended. The oldest neighbourhood is San Telmo with a great market
on Sunday. It is the connection between Boca (poorest part) and the Microcentro (centre of the city),
which is the place where the university is located. Lively and crowded throughout the day, not a place
to be at night.
It is bigger than Tilburg and has a very distinct culture and language. Best things are the meats,
wines, boliches (clubs) and the relaxed vibe.
TOPIC: Academics
Which courses did you take and why? Which courses would you recommend? What did the courses
add to your program at Tilburg University? How does the university compare to Tilburg University
concerning the level of the courses, use of extra material, level of English, workload, etc.? Overall,
were you happy with your academic achievements during your exchange? Please describe the
campus of your host university.
I took the following courses:
Advanced Marketing
Int. Economic Relations
Int. Business
Strategic Management
I recommend them all, but Advanced Marketing a little less. They are interesting courses, but don’t
expect to learn much on an academic level, except for specific courses such as Strategic
Management. It is easier, but more intensive than Tilburg. Participation is more important and classes
are longer. Exams are usually divided in different parts or a large presentation. I was very happy with
my achievements during my semester abroad.
The university is very small (1200 students, Tilburg is 10x bigger), but this way it’s great interacting
with locals and the university only consists of 2 connected buildings.
TOPIC: Social life
Which social activities organized by the university or students? Did you have contact with local
students? Did you have contact with other exchange students? How did you get along with the local
students and other exchange students? Did you travel to other places/countries during your
exchange?
The university organized some get togethers and football tournaments. I had contact with people from
my classes and a friend I knew that spend his time in Tilburg. My friend group existed mostly amongst
the other exchange students. I got a long with everyone perfectly, but because of the Spanish
integration takes a while. I would recommend you to live with a Spanish speaking person. I traveled in
Brazil, Uruguay, Chile and Argentina.
TOPIC: Living costs
How did you finance your exchange period, apart from the grant you received from Tilburg University?
What were your living expenses abroad like compared to Tilburg? What did you spend most of your
money on? What would you advice future students to spend their money on? Please outline your
approximate monthly budget whilst on exchange: housing, food, textbooks, etc.
I didn’t receive a grant from Tilburg University. I had a loan at DUO, my regular STUFI, the
reimbursement for the OV and some money I saved up personally. I spended a lot more money,
because I ate out 6 times a week and did a lot of traveling and going out at night. I would advice
future students to save up a lot of money and to take out loans so you are able to do everything. It’s
the time of your life and missing out, because you don’t have enough financial resourse is too bad.
TOPIC: Culture
Did you experience culture shock while on exchange? How would you compare your host culture to
your own culture? What did you learn about your own culture while on exchange? What was different
about your host culture than you expected? What did you like and not like about your host culture? Do
you feel you learned a lot about your host culture, and if not, what would you like to learn more? How
would you describe your host countries culture? If you travelled to other cities/countries during your
exchange, were they different than your host city/country, and how?
I did not experience a culture shock. I was well prepared what to expect and those were also reasons
for me to go to South America. I would rate Argentina as more relaxed. People show up late, don’t
stress about deadlines and prefer to have a relaxed meeting rather than to the point.
TOPIC: Personal development
What did you learn from the people you met during your exchange? Would you do things differently if
you had the chance, and what would you do differently? What was your best experience, and what
was your worst experience? What will you remember for ever about your exchange period? What was
the most important lesson you learned about yourself during your exchange period?
The only thing I would change is that I would try to live with a person that spoke Spanish, because
that way it’s much easier to pick up the language. Other than that I’m very satisfied with my
experience. The best experiences include traveling, skydiving, winetasting, horseriding and seeing the
superclasico River Plate – Boca Juniors. The worst experience was a cancelled boat to Uruguay and
not being able to get money and then having to deal with the slack attitude of South American
people/law. The most important lesson is that you should treasure the important things in life and
don’t stress too much about the small things.
TOPIC: Tips for future students
Would you recommend an exchange period? Would you recommend your host university? What
should prospective students bring with them/leave behind? What preparation is required for going on
exchange to this destination? Was there anything you should have done in preparation that you didn’t
do?
I would definitely recommend an exchange period to other people. You learn a lot about things
university can’t teach you. It’s a valuable addition to your personality and cv. Try to prepare the best
possible by talking to passed exchange students and trying to get in touch with many people. Saving
up a bunch of money and don’t try to hold back while on exchange.
TOPIC: A picture is worth a thousand words
If you took any pictures or made any videos that you would like to share with future exchange
students, please include them (or e-mail them separately). Pictures that show your daily life or
symbolize your exchange period are especially interesting for future exchange students.
See below