Planting a Seed Past Review
By A student (Biochemistry B.S. and Spanish B.A., Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 05/26/2015 to 07/15/2015 with
IES Abroad: Santiago Summer - Health Studies
I learned Spanish, learned how to travel, and gained a sense of adventure that will last me a lifetime. It was definitely worthwile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Host family had good food, but other options in the city are rather expensive and they don't have much flavor in general; Empanadas and chorrillana make great greasy food, however |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program was rather short to fully integrate, however we had the opportunity to go out and celebrate the Copa América games with the rest of the locals, which was cultural in itself |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
When I fell ill, I was on my own, but the program had equipped me with the knowledge I needed to handle a doctor's appointment on my own |
| * Safety: |
Some people were robbed, however I made sure to keep all of my belongings hidden and in zipped and protected pockets at all times. I didn't have any problems. |
| 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) |
Transportation was expensive. |
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? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| 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? | Practice. Don't make excuses, and practice. |
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 wish I had known that it is important to carry emergency toilet paper at all times, as it was not always available and the bathroom conditions where often questionable. Also, I wish I had known just how cold I would be, so that I could pack more warm clothes instead of sandals and flip flops which were never worn. |
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! |
