One of the most exciting, best decisions I have ever made Past Review
By Joel V (Business Administration, Trinity University) - abroad from 07/23/2012 to 12/05/2012 with
IES Abroad: Santiago - Study in Santiago
I feel like I understand in depth a culture different from my own and I have a confidence that I can work and travel outside of the United States with ease.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very helpful and welcoming. I felt comfortable bringing forth any problem I had. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed with an elder lady who had experience with exchange students before. She was great and it really helped the adjustment process. |
| * Food: |
The day to day food was nothing special but I enjoyed all of the different street food stands and shops. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had any health issues to deal with. |
| * Safety: |
There are parts of the city that foreign students should probably stay away from but I felt very safe where I lived and where the school was. |
| 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) |
Everything is pretty much included on a day to day basis |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $20 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take buses overnight if you are traveling to save one night on a hostel |
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 |
Required to speak it at all times |
| 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? | Advanced Grammar |
| 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? | Really commit to speaking the language, even among English speaking friends. |
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? | I wish that I had entered the program with the commitment to speak only Spanish rather than developing that commitment as the semester progressed. |
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. |
