Adventures in Paradise! Past Review
By chelsea.wood.3597 (University of the Pacific) - abroad from 02/25/2013 to 07/23/2013 with
CIEE: Valparaiso - Language in Context
Of course it was worthwhile! I learned a lot about myself, how to be independent and formed many of my own world-views.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes could have been more rigerous. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Great staff and support! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Personally, a host family might not have been the best choice for me, but the program did not offer any other option. |
| * Food: |
Options for more healthy food were available, but hard with a host family. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Valparaiso and Viña del Mar are very Westernized in a lot of aspects and as my language became better, so did my feeling of integration. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Like any city, safety concerns do exist and it is a matter of common sense to keep yourself out of harms way. On a daily basis, I did not feel unsafe. |
| 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) |
An expensive city. Traveling in the region was expensive as well. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $75 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be careful with your phone minutes/texts, they are expensive! |
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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 2nd semester college spanish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Stay engaged, even if it is exhausting. And don't be afraid to make mistakes! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | That it is okay to make mistakes. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
