The process of Crazymiento Past Review
By Seamus O (International Affairs, University of Maine at Orono) - abroad from 02/25/2013 to 07/05/2013 with
IES Abroad: Santiago - Study in Santiago
I learned how to become a more outgoing person and how to adjust to life in a different society.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The education system in Chile is a hot button topic in the country. The two universities that the program offers, are the best in the country and many of the classes are respectable with a lot of things to learn. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on site admin was great. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had the best host mother in the country. There aren't words that give justice to how awesome my host mother was. |
| * Food: |
Chileans eat to live, they don't live to eat. Although there are some good dishes, in general, Chilean food is bland and basic. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
at first it was tough, but towards the end of my stay, there were natives that thought I was Chilean. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had to use the healthcare system |
| * Safety: |
Santiago is the safest city in South America, and Chile is the safest country |
| 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) |
The exchange rate is great for Americans, and the cost of living is very very low. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ussualy between 25-50 depending on how much I went out |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Withdraw money in large amounts and then keep most of it in your home... international fees will creep up on you. Also, learning public transportation instead of taxis will save you a ton of money. |
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? | 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? | 300 level |
| 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? | just talk to people and speak to as many natives as you can. host families are a great way to practice in a comfortable setting. |
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 now know what it is like to be a minority and how to initially judge and communicate with people. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
