Looking Back on BA & Santiago... Past Review
By Robrenisha Williams (Barnard College) - abroad from 08/28/2017 to 12/08/2017 with
IES Abroad: Multi-Location - Emerging Economies, Buenos Aires & Santiago
Through IES I got to reach beyond my comfort zones and because of that I’ve gotten to spend my time with many different wonderful people. . Now, all I want to do is travel more, in general, and to return to Santiago. I have a better idea of what is important to me in terms of my career goals (turns out travel opportunities and continued learning possibilities are important to me). I've learned how to solve conflicts like an adult, to be open minded, to be uncomfortable, to be lost, to be willing.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There was a lot more writing than I am used to (we had essays even for economics classes where I usually would have problem sets and the like). There was also a lot of project based work, which was interesting and forced us to engage with the material. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff were all really nice and helpful and amazing. There were lots of advertised activities for us to do outside the classroom work. If we had a problem, administrators were quick to help us resolve it. They cared that we engaged with them. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Yes, both of my host mothers were beautiful humans and my rooms were so cute. I felt like a had my own space and I felt comfortable. |
| * Food: |
BA food is just too bland for my liking but they all really put in effort. Santiago food was better and my host mom went above and beyond to ensure that I enjoyed my meals! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I didn't feel that integrated in the culture outside of speaking with my professors and traveling about the cities/countries. I felt like a visitor (a step above a tourist) but thats okay with me. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any major issues. When the prospect of an issue arose, the staff urged me to seek professional care right away. They made it easy and simple (though I did not end up needing it) |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe, for the most part. I did tend to carry my bag in front of me when there were a lot of people on the streets. My phone was also stolen, but that happens all the time and I could have been more careful. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
It was the perfect program to learn. I learned about two vastly different countries and cultures. I learned about myself, what works and what doesn't. I learned how to be unsure, unclear, and a little lost. It was the perfect semester because it encompassed variety, which is something I enjoy. |
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 definitely spent more money than intended, but it wasn't that bad. I did go on extra trips outside of the program. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $120-145 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Really try to budget yourself (but live your life). Go in with a plan, revise it along the way, and be okay with not doing EVERYTHING that others are ding. |
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 |
Some professors/staff would only speak to us in Spanish. They really encouraged us to speak Spanish will in the building amongst those who know a little english if you get stumped. |
| 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? | The language requirement at my College (4 semesters) |
| 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? | Watch moves, listen to music and podcasts. |
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? | 0 |
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? | There will be a lot of quiet reflection time. There will always be something to do if you want. Nothing will be as you expect it |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
