Valparaiso: Living in Paradise Past Review
By Holly H (Spanish/Sociology, Trinity University) for
IFSA: Valparaiso - Chilean Universities Program, Valparaiso
Yes.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso |
| 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. |
They grade on a scale from 1-7 so that was a little difficult to become accustomed to. Teaching was conducted through power points but the majority were lecture based classes with a lot of group work and group discussions which was great for meeting the people. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
IFSA-Butler is a wonderful program, their staff is absolutely incredible and helpful, they really care and want to help their students. There is an office where they are always available for any needs and went above and beyond to make sure we were well adjusted. Weaknesses to the program include the price, there are a few trips throughout the semester that they take you on as a group, these are awesome but double the price of your stay. Another weakness is that they require you to live with a host family, my second semester I felt comfortable enough to find an apartment on my own with other students, but was unable to because my program wouldn't let me live alone. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
All students are housed in Vina del Mar which is a beautiful place to live. I lived a 20 minute walk from the beach. I was treated as a family member by both of my host families who were wonderful and provided everything I needed. |
| * Food: |
The food is different, but delicious. I would say that it is important to be honest with your host family from the get-go about what you like and don't like. Don't shove food that makes you sick or that you hate down your throat all semester just to "be polite". Do try everything a few times but be honest when you just really don't like something. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Trips to La Campana, La Serena which were great. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
My program was really great about warning us of the dangers of the area. Although a few of my friends were robbed it was usually because they were out alone at night, drunk. I never experienced any problems and felt generally fairly safe. |
| 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? | Bus rides are expensive, it was about $2 every day and extra if I went anywhere besides school. Transportation was where I spent the majority of my money as well as eating out on occasion. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Besides transportation, one can live with very few expenses through this program because all the food is provided through your host family. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I was determined to learn so I practiced with anyone and everyone I could, including other gringos. It is difficult to meet Chileans, they are generally not extremely welcoming, I really benefited from meeting and practicing Spanish with other international students from all over the world. I was put with a host family who refused to speak English with me so I had to practice with them. Most people do speak a little bit of English, but I always insisted on speaking Spanish with them. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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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? | DO IT. |
