IES Santiago: Intimate Social Relationships in Sudamerica Past Review
By Charlie H (Sociology., Tufts University) for
IES Abroad: Santiago - Study in Santiago
Speaking fluent spanish will definitely help in the job search.
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 workload was perfect in balancing a legitimate semester with plenty of free time to explore the beautiful country. The grades are from 0-7 and are complicated to transfer to American and the teaching methods are refreshingly straight forward and old fashioned. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They work hard to meet everyone and are very family- like. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Its fresh and unique if not very worldly. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Three breathtaking field trips scheduled by program. highly recommend going if not always through the program. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Always alerted of demonstrations by text message, mandatory cell phone and traveling policies. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Traveling put me back over a 1000 but with meals provided by the program all inclusive you can spend as little as you want. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save your money for travelling, clubs are ok but easy to get in to without paying if you play it right. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 22 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Practicing with family is critical because the chance to speak English with the other students is definitely present. |
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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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? | Apaga la tele, vive tu vida. It means get blackout and live your life. |
