Studying Abroad in Chile - Best Decision You Can Make! Past Review
By Jessica G (International/Global Studies., Texas A&M - College Station) for
ISA Study Abroad in Valparaíso/Viña del Mar, Chile
I obviously gained a new appreciation for a language while being there but I think my favorite part of the whole experience was meeting new people. It helped me realize that it didn't really matter if I was sitting at my house in Texas or at a bar in Chile, people are so very much a like. Everyone just wants to be around people they love and enjoy that time. It was a really nice thing to see.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I thought the program was very well balanced with work and actual experiences in the country. Both teach you a good amount about the language and the culture! |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff in Chile were amazing! They encouraged us to go out and explore the city while being there whenever we needed anything. They were also really great about explaining anything we didn't understand about the language or culture. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I looooooooved my host family! They were wonderful and so helpful. I still communicate with them whenever I can. |
| * Food: |
The host family made sure I had plenty of food at the house as well as taking me out to get food around town! Loved Chilean food! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
This was probably my most favorite part of the whole experience. Getting to know a new city and becoming comfortable in it was an amazing feeling. The trips the program planned were all very interesting and the fact that we, the students, had an opportunity to plan our own trip to Pucon was amazing! I went white water rafting for the first time ever! |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
I had one incident where I needed to go to the doctor while I was there and the program director accompanied me to make sure I felt comfortable and got everything I needed. It worked out really well. |
| 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 |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I was able to become part of a intercambio program where I made a Chilean friend to practice my Spanish with. That program, and that friendship, ended up becoming the best part of the study abroad. I spent most of my time with chileans which made learning Spanish a necessity. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If you have the opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and experience something new - do it. You will not regret it. |
