Amazing experience in Chile!! Past Review
By Emma T (Civil Engineering, Pennsylvania State University - University Park / Penn State) - abroad from 07/25/2016 to 11/25/2016 with
IES Abroad: Santiago - Study in Santiago
I learned a lot about myself and gained a lot of Spanish skills.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
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 |
Incredibly genuine people who are extremely kind and helpful! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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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 go to the hospital a few times when I got sick, and I was well taken care of in terms of IES staff, insurance, hospital facilities, and doctors. |
| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
You only ever needed to pay for food if you wanted to go out to eat. All meals were provided for through homestay except for 2 meals on the weekends. However, it was easy to find cheap meals if you did not fell like spending a lot. However, traveling on the weekends was my biggest cost which got a little pricier compared to the rest of South America. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $20 not including weekend excursions |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Go out to the restaurant with your friends to be social and talk, but consider not eating anything there to save money or only get a drink or an appetizer. |
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? | Beginner |
| 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? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Listen to music, watch TV shows, just surround yourself as much as possible. |
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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| 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? | Do not be scared to just speak and make mistakes in Spanish. People are very understanding and want you to improve. |
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! |
