A Semester of a Lifetime in Santiago, Chile Past Review
By Kelley W (Chemistry and Spanish, Hope College) - abroad from 02/23/2015 to 07/10/2015 with
IES Abroad: Santiago - Study in Santiago
I learned that I am perfectly capable living in a foreign city and meeting friends when I don't know anyone. Santiago challenged me in that I had to speak a different language, live with a family I didn't know prior to arriving and meet new friends. I would go back and do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The program classes were interesting and I learned a lot in them but I still had time to explore the city and travel! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The people who worked for my program were amazing! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host family and they treated me as one of their own |
| * Food: |
My host mom was a really good cook and I never went hungry |
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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 had to get a yellow fever shot before I traveled to Peru and I was able to get it the week I asked to get it and at a very reputable hospital. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe in Santiago. |
| 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 food in Santiago was expensive as was pretty much everything else and I spent a lot of money on public transportation getting to and from my study abroad center. |
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 |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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 I knew more of how amazing the world is before going on this program. Prior to this program, I had only left the U.S. once and after getting to travel throughout Chile and Peru, I have the desire to keep traveling and experiencing the world! |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
