Past Review
By robinc (International Relations and Affairs., Tufts University) for
CIEE: Valparaiso - Language in Context
Yes. I came to Chile to learn Spanish. That was my primary goal and I definitely feel that I have improved my language skills. I also learned a lot about what it means to be from the US in a world dominated by the US. I learned how to live in another country. I gained a lot of information about myself especially. One thing I realized is that Chile is much different than other Latin American countries. I had considered working abroad after college...now I feel more connected to home and my family and realize that a semester away is a long time!
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad Catolica de Valparaíso |
| The term and year this program took place: | Spring 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Although the classes were not my favorite part of my study abroad experience, I did learn a lot about school in other countries and I improved my language skills. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was really helpful when I had questions or concerns. They gave us plenty of information and the trips we had as a group were really well planned. They were very frank with us which was nice. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a house in Viña del Mar, which was about 15 minutes by bus from Valparaíso. Most students on my program lived in Viña. <br /><br /> I liked my house, it was quite comfortable...but I would have preferred to live in Valparaíso to be closer to the city and to my classes and to many of the cultural things going on. |
| * Food: |
The food my host mom made was great and always plentiful. Other Chilean food was cheap and usually good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The trips that we took with the program were great--I climbed a volcano in Southern Chile and went to museums in Santiago with the program. Very interesting and fun, especially since everything was planned and we just had to show up! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
My program helped me find a doctor when I needed one and this was not a problem. Healthcare seemed generally good and accessible though at times expensive. |
| 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) |
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Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Before I left I was a confident reader and writer but speaking was difficult. Being forced to use the language all the time means that I am now comfortable understanding and speaking Spanish in most settings. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be ready to look dumb in front of people as you learn the language. Have a sense of humor and adventure if you want to meet locals. Travel around and try to connect with your host family if you can. Make sure you know what you're getting into when it comes with living with a host family (it is like going back to high school in many ways) and make sure that's what you're looking for in your experience. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Tecnicas de Campamento |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Jorge Galvez |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Great fun...we got to go on camping trips with both foreign and Chilean students. A great way to experience the country and meet local students. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
