Reasons to Go to Chile with IFSA! Past Review
By A student (Susquehanna University) - abroad from 02/18/2015 to 07/12/2015 with
IFSA: Valparaiso - Chilean Universities Program, Valparaiso
I learned so much about myself and about Chilean culture. This is was the most influential experience of my life, and completely worthwhile! I learned how to be independent and do things for myself. I learned how to interact with those from other cultures, and how to speak Spanish. I gained problem solving skills and persistence, by working through hard situations despite the language barrier. I also learned that while I was from a different part of the world, I could still find a home somewhere else. The way I was accepted by my host family and local friends was unforgettable. I gained a better understanding of self and the world around me.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The program offered lots of different classes in varying academic departments. They offered programs with other international students and local Chileans. All classes were in Spanish, but I loved the tutors were available for us in case we were struggling in courses due to the difference in language. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program directors were absolutely incredible! They were always available to help answer any type of questions. Their guidance and knowledge was extremely helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed with the most amazing host family in Chile. They provided me with food everyday, even packing lunch. They did my laundry, and cleaned my room once a week. Not only did they take care of my needs, they treated me like a member of the family and made me feel included always. I would highly recommend using IFSA if you are looking for a great host family experience. |
| * Food: |
My family cooked almost all of my meals, which included lots of bread. They were amazing cooks and were understanding when I didn't like any particular options they served. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Because I lived with a host family and studied with local students I was very integrated with Chilean culture. There were lots of opportunities for me to engage with the local culture and learn more about it. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't personally have any health problems during my stay. |
| * Safety: |
Overall, Chile and where I was abroad is very safe. I was in a city, and just like in any large city anywhere in the world there were safer parts than others. Program staff advised us of the less safe areas, and I was able to easily avoid them. I never felt personally threatened. As a young women, I would receive an occasional catcall, but once again nothing that made me feel that I was in immediate danger. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Every aspect of the program that I had wanted before going abroad, was fully given to me. I wouldn't change my semester abroad for anything, and would go back to Chile in a Heartbeat. IFSA knew how to give us the perfect balance between support and freedom, and gave me the ability to make the experience my own. |
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) |
Most of my program was paid for in food, housing, and tuition costs before I got there. I spend minimal money on food in the week since my host family provided it all for me. The only other weekly expense was my public transportation fee, which was less than $3 per day going to and from school. Public transportation in Chile in general was very cheap. Also, even eating out in the city was cheaper than eating in a U.S city. |
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 |
We were constanlty talking in Spanish. Whether it was with other students from the U.S, our program providers, our host family, or other students, we always were talking in Spanish. I loved this because it allowed me to really learn the language. |
| 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? | 300 level course |
| 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? | Before going abroad an easy thing to do to get accustomed to the language is watching TV shows in that language on Netflix or other online sources. Additionally, watching the news or reading online news articles will help prepare you. While abroad if you really want to learn the language, just keep trying to use it. There may be hard or frustrating days where you feel as if you can't say anything right. But if you continue to practice and try your best, you'll soon see improvement. |
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? | Learning a new language is hard, and can be very tiring. At the end of some days, you will have a headache. But if you can make it through the first month, you'll be able to survive and communicate effectively without a problem the rest of the time. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
