A worthwhile, yet challenging experience! Past Review

By Mia Grayson (Middlebury College) - abroad from 07/21/2018 to 12/15/2018 with

Andres Bello National University: Santiago - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned a lot about Chilean culture and was able to understand how I adapt to new, challenging situations. I was able to learn about myself and self-reflect during my time away from Midd.

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.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	No I am glad I went abroad but would not choose to continue or do it over again.

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)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Budget at the start of the semester

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	SPAN 349: Hispanic Athletes
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans
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?	My new Chilean friends My host family Chilean history/culture
* What could be improved?	Organization
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	The Chilean education system lacks a clear organization and that affects when you receive a lot of important information (e.g. exam dates, grading scales, class schedules).

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.	The Academic or Linguist You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Fisiopatología
Course Department:
Instructor:	Carlos Vargas
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	Challenging and a bit disorganized. The content was extremely interesting though the exams were difficult. I felt as though the grading system of the course was not conducive to the required grading for a premed student.
Credit Transfer Issues:	NA

Course Name/Rating:	Bases of Nursing Care
Course Department:
Instructor:	Karen Caro
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This course was tedious and not very stimulating. The evaluations for the exams and practicals were not clear and were significantly more challenging what was taught in class.
Credit Transfer Issues:	NA

Course Name/Rating:	Public Health II
Course Department:
Instructor:	Marcelo Mora Ahumada
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This course was insightful as a way to learn about the health system of a different country. It was not challenging due to the fact that all of the homework assignments were group work and the exams directly reflected the assigned readings.
Credit Transfer Issues:	NA