Life-changing experience in a beautiful country filled with wonderful people! Past Review
By A student (Spanish Language and Literature, Salve Regina University) - abroad from 07/17/2013 to 07/15/2014 with
ISA Study Abroad in Valparaíso/Viña del Mar, Chile
I learned so much Spanish that I am very very proficient and comfortable speaking. It was definitely worthwhile!
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. |
Taking classes with locals is very challenging but a great experience! It will really aid in learning all types of conversational Spanish. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living somewhere for a year gives you the best way to be involved in the local culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
My program helped me find a good doctor for my needs. |
| * Safety: |
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| 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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
As long as you budget, it is easy to save money while abroad. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Maybe 30$ maximum if I splurged. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat at home as much as possible since it's included in your program fees! |
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 |
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| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced |
| 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? | Practice before you go, and be open to constructive criticism so you can learn the language quickly! |
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? | Not all host families are the dream families but it teaches you to be flexible and to accept different styles. I also wish I knew that the summer in between my two semesters was not included in the fees. |
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.' |
