Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

My Many Personal Epiphanies Abroad July 19, 2025

By (Linguistics, Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/26/2025 to 07/12/2025 with

IFSA: Santiago - Chilean Universities Program, Santiago

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I've grown immensely as a person during my time abroad as it made me reflect on my relationships with other people and myself and how to better foster them. In terms of academia, I feel as though I was adequately pushed and I took part in projects I am very proud of. The IFSA program was wonderful and my supervisors were very helpful.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family are wonderful people and I will miss them very much.

* Food:

Too much mayo on completos.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

While the scenery was beautiful, the culture fascinating, the food delicious, it was the people that really made a lasting impression on me. I am so happy I went and I learned so much more about myself and the world around me.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Probably about 100, but these were personal expenses, not to live.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Do not go on too many money splurges but also enjoy your time abroad exploring and discovering new things.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

It was essentially compulsory.

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? Advanced University
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? Expose yourself to the language as much as possible before heading abroad, such as changing the language on your phone to said language, watching media in that language, practicing speech in the mirror, listening to music in that language, etc. I made the mistake of listening to too much music in English during my time abroad and that may have stymied the experience.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • My host family
  • The friends I met
  • The city itself
* What could be improved?
  • Some organization on the part of one of my professors
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I am glad I went in with some information but not too much, as it made the discoveries I made that much more impactful.

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 Linguist
You 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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Psicolingüística
Course Department: Letras
Instructor: Guillermo Soto
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: The material itself was very good, but oftentimes the professor was rather disorganized.
Credit Transfer Issues: