Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

So... When can I go back to Santiago? Past Review

By (International Business and Spanish, Trinity University) - abroad from 07/23/2014 to 12/05/2014 with

IES Abroad: Santiago - Study in Santiago

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to relax and really be in the moment which has helped me appreciate everything I did and saw while I was. Definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were all absolutely fabulous!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The Health Care system worked really well and the hospital I went to was very clean. It was a super easy process and honestly just as easy as going to a doctor in the U.S.

* Safety:

Like any city, you need to be aware of where you are and your things but I never felt like I was in danger.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

It was honestly up to you if you wanted to eat out, but since your host family provided all the meals we typically would meet up after dinner or go out for ice cream during the day. I did not find myself spending much money on food or personal expenses during the week.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50 MAX during the week, but when I traveled on the weekend about $150-$200 including everything I did that weekend
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't buy a lot of things you can get in the U.S. instead save that money for food, drinks, and most importantly TRAVEL.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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? Latin America Civalization
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? Try to not speak english to your friends within the program, I know its hard but it really will make a difference!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • My close knit IES group
  • IES Faculty and Staff
  • Diverse classes
* What could be improved?
  • Knowledge of courses at the local universities before our arrival in Chile.
  • Great variety of business internships available
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known that it was safe and liberating to explore places by myself. And also, don't wait until the last minute to get to know the city you are living in, explore a little bit each day.

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 Adventurer
The 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.