Chilean Hospitality Past Review
By Natalie Y (Nursing., The University of Texas at Austin) for
IES Abroad: Santiago Summer - Health Studies
Absolutely. I had a blast. Also this experience will help me in my future nursing career (knowing spanish,etc.)
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | no |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
We were told that the last minute changes to assignments and confusion over clinical observation areas were just a "cultural difference," but I feel like at least some of it was poor planning and lack of communication between course facilitators. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program accepted too many students than they had the resources to for. They would always blame their disorganization on the fact that they had way more students than normal. However, they chose to accept all of those students without fully accommodating for them. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I LOVED my host family. They were some of the nicest and most fun people I have ever known. We still keep in touch through facebook. I couldn't have asked for a better host family. I was definitely treated like one of the family, and it was one of the best parts of the study abroad experience. They provided sheets, towels, tupperware, etc. Meals were included in the program. |
| * Food: |
My host family inquired about my food preferences. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We went to Valparaiso and some healthcare facilities that were out of the way. We also took a tour of the city. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Some of the people in the program were robbed. But overall the city wasn't super dangerous. It is very important to always be aware of your surroundings. Have a hand on your purse at all times, never take your eyes off of it, especially on the subway or bus. Also, NEVER walk at night alone |
| 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) |
|
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | no. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 4 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I used it in class and with my host family. When we went out with my host brother and his friends, we would speak spanish. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would say: "do it!" I had an amazing experience. One of the best decisions I have ever made. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
HL 395: Clinical Observation Internship |
| Course Department: | HL395 School of Nursing |
| Instructor: | Many |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | we had seminars taught by different professors about the chilean health care system, and we would go to different clinical facilities. The course was very informative and interesting. I loved going to all the different facilities, even though it was kind of disorganized. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Yes, but it was because of my home university who lost one of my course evaluations forms. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
SP300 Spanish for Health Practitioners |
| Course Department: | Sp300 |
| Instructor: | Deborah |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | IT was very well organized. I enjoyed the course, lots of group projects. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No. |
