"No hay nada como Santiago" Past Review
By A student (Anthropology, Latin American Studies, Spanish, Tulane University) - abroad from 02/15/2012 to 07/13/2012 with
CIEE: Santiago - Liberal Arts
I feel like I have learned so much about myself, and I know more about what I would like to do in the future. I did so many things that I had never done before (overnight bus by myself, traveled alone, learned how to surf, etc.), that I feel very confident in myself and my abilities. My study abroad experience was incredibly worthwhile, and I am already homesick for Santiago.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile; Universidad Diego Portales |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had a relatively good experience with my host family (my host mother and two host sisters), but I had several issues with one host sister that added stress and unhappiness to what was otherwise a wonderful semester. |
| * Food: |
I thought the food was bland and boring, and I rarely had a full meal for dinner (we generally had 'once,' or teatime). I loved eating avocado/palta all of the time, though! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated into the culture. I traveled on the metro every day, took classes with few foreigners, and traveled to lots of different places within Santiago and in Chile. There were lots of opportunities to meet Chileans and make friends, but I chose to spend more time with the other CIEE students (my personal choice). |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I felt like some of my friends were constantly having to deal with food issues related to their allergies and personal health choices (being vegetarian, etc.) during program trips and within the host family households, which they should not have had to worry about on top of everything else. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe during my time in Santiago, but I was cautious and did not carry valuables (lots of cash, my debit card, etc.) with me and I tried to be as aware as possible of my surroundings. I had several friends who were victims of pickpocketing on the buses or had their bags stolen at a restaurant, but in nearly all of those situations they were not paying enough attention or had gotten too relaxed. Just be careful and aware and you'll be fine! |
| 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) |
I would easily spend $20 a week on public transportation. Since food was included, I tried to limit my eating out and only eat at home. Santiago is relatively cheap. |
| * 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? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try and utilize more micros rather than just metros, it will save you money if you take a metro and then take a micro within two hours! |
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 |
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| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | SPAN 4050 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Try and talk with your host family as much as possible...have conversations, ask them about their interests, etc. Practicing with other CIEE students works for some people, but I found it difficult to speak in Spanish after we had already developed a relationship in English. Try and make Chilean friends! In my experience, Chileans are always impressed and really appreciate when you speak Spanish, and they would never belittle you when (not if) you say something wrong. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Be flexible - things will go wrong, you will mess up a word in Spanish, and you will get lost. It's okay! Know that you're really putting yourself out there just by studying abroad, and it's okay to feel overwhelmed. Also, it's okay if you don't immediately fall in love with study abroad at the very beginning (since it might seem like "everyone else" in your program has)...take your time and you will really come to love your study abroad experience. Also, try and bring just one suitcase when you go to Santiago...you will inevitably leave with two. |
