Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A formative and liberating semester of cultural exploration and discovery. Past Review

By (Vassar College) - abroad from 07/21/2017 to 12/09/2017 with

IFSA: Valparaiso - Chilean Universities Program, Valparaiso

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My experience abroad gave me the skills and confidence to know that I can travel and survive in another part of the world, in another language, and do so comfortably and self-sufficiently.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Though I did not find classes to be particularly demanding in and of themselves, the opportunity to take classes with Chilean students enabled me not only to build relationships with local students, but also helped me hone my Spanish language skills quite a bit.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administrators were always present, friendly and helpful!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my host family, who were welcoming and kind, and found the experience of living with a host family to be incredibly enriching.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I did get to develop some close friendships with Chileans through my classes and extracurricular activities, though I also spent a large percentage of my time with other students from the United States.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

In general, I felt relatively safe in my city, except at times while walking at night through unfamiliar areas. I also did have my wallet stolen on a bus one time.

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)

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

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? Multiple advanced literature classes taught in Spanish
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? It can be difficult to continue using a foreign language, and only that foreign language, at all times, especially when you are with other students who share your native language. Even so, make every effort to do so. Learning Spanish was my favorite part of the experience, and something that one can only do through practice.

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?
  • The freedom and flexibility to define my own experience.
* What could be improved?
  • The administrators should have been stricter in compelling us to speak only Spanish.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Not to worry so much! And that the experience would be difficult and stressful at times, but extremely fulfilling in the end.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'