Fully Experiencing Chile and Falling in Love with Santiago Past Review
By Estie M (Studio Arts and Anthropology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/24/2013 to 07/14/2013 with
IFSA: Santiago - Chilean Universities Program, Santiago
This program was amazing. I loved being free to take my own classes and explore on my own time, but the program also offered the perfect amount of support to help me realize what I wanted to accomplish. I grew so much, and overcame a lot of fears, especially with speaking Spanish. Being forced to speak Spanish all day is scary, but the best decision I could have made.
Review Photos
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. |
I think being able to take classes directly in the Chilean universities is an awesome opportunity, and makes it challenging but exciting and lets you really integrate into the society. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The resident director is extremely helpful in both academic issues and personal issues. She helped with organizing doctor's appointments and the following insurance process, emailing with professors, and working out issues with home families. I couldn't have asked for any better "program mother." |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It took me a little time to get used to the family structure of my host family, but it definitely improved, and any issue I had I spoke with the resident director and she helped me communicate with my family. I definitely think living with a Chilean family is ESSENTIAL - there are so many parts of the culture and society issues you wouldn't be able to learn if not watching them happen first hand to a typical family. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The great thing about this program is that you are really pushed into Chilean society. At first it's overwhelming, with everything in Spanish, living with a strange family and going to classes at a university where Chileans are shy to speak to extranjeros and the professors speak super fast. But you are independent, and you have 5 months to really absorb everything around you. You have the opportunity to take classes outside of the university, join a gym, go out with friends from your university classes. While there are optional program trips once in awhile which are super fun, you're basically just living your life in Santiago. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Santiago does have some issues with robbery, but I personally haven't **yet** been affected. The biggest issue it seems is opportunistic theft, so if your wallet is sticking out of your pocket, it will likely be taken on a crowded metro. I have heard of some more intense experiences, with muggings on the streets, but nothing where anyone was seriously hurt. In those situations, it's best to just give them whatever they want - thus, it's best to not carry to many things on you. I try not to carry my debit card with me at all times, and little cash, and I try to avoid bringing my iPhone (and definitely not taking it out on the street). During orientation for the first week the director went over all of the safety issues and tips to avoid any kinds of scary situations, and I felt definitely prepared. I never felt in danger - only sometimes annoying at men staring/saying "compliments," but nothing where I felt physically threatened. |
| 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) |
Santiago is not cheap, it's about the same as in the US. BUT your host family is required to provide you with 3 meals a day (a packed lunch), so you can definitely safe money by not buying food. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | not sure |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat your host family's food! Bring snacks! |
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 |
Everything is in Spanish. |
| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | at Brandeis, HISP 105 |
| 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? | Try to prepare beforehand, but honestly, no matter how much your practice and how good you feel you are, you will be seriously overwhelmed the first month or so. The host families generally don't speak any English, so you are honestly forced to speak Spanish 24/7, except with some program friends (with whom we are also encouraged to speak Spanish, and it definitely helps if you do). You improve SO MUCH, even though it feels very, very frustrating. |
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? | How cold the winter is in Santiago :( |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
