Chile Became a Best Friend of Mine, and I Can't Wait to Go Back! Past Review
By Jeannie W (Spanish, Colorado State University) for
ISA Study Abroad in Valparaíso/Viña del Mar, Chile
It is quite difficult to summarize how those amazing months living in Chile changed my life. But the most rewarding elements all seemed to do with the people of the Chilean culture I got to know. It's amazing how you can gain new perspectives, vision, senses of humor, and ways to love others just by spending time with people in a different country. I will definitely be returning to Chile, and also seeking other places of the world where I can travel and have other amazing experiences.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Awesome, awesome, awesome. The administration took amazing care of us. I couldn't find a way to thank them for everything when my semester there came to an end. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was truly like a family, and I will always consider them my chilean family. I was able to walk to pharmacies, stores, restaurants, the beach, church, etc. And I walked to the metro station to take the metro to classes. My neighborhood was safe as long as I was smart, not drawing attention to myself, and having a buddy to walk with most of the time. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Going dancing was SO MUCH FUN. Chileans love to salsa, and I would go dancing with friends almost every weekend. The patriotic week of festivites in September was a blast. I planned a trip with a couple girlfriends to go skiing in the Andes, and that was a day to remember forever. One of my favorite weekends was taking a bus over to Mendoza, Argentina to go wine-tasting and enjoy their delicious food and beautiful town. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Unfortunately, I heard of several friends from my program and others being approached, threatened, or robbed during my time there. But I also believe that the situation could have been avoided if they had been a little smarter about things such as: alcohol consumption, wearing expensive things that make them a target, walking in a group instead of alone, etc. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I can honestly say I spoke more Spanish than English in Chile. I spoke the most Spanish with my host family and local Chileans who were my age. I would meet new Chilean friends at a Christian church I found and also when I would go out with friends to local bars and places to dance. |
| 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?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Have a completely open heart and mind, prepared as you can be for every up and down of this spectacular adventure. Remember every individual's experience is unique and personal, so it is what you make it. |
