Do a program where you live with other international students Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

For Middlebury Spanish majors, Just because it's a Middlebury sponsored program doesn't guarantee you will be able to take classes that meet Spanish major requirements. I spent my first two weeks there frantically running campus trying to get into classes that met major requirements (which was social setback because it would have been nice to use that time to orient myself, sign up for extra curricular classes, ect. ). The problem is that international students get last pick on classes and it’s often luck of the draw as to who gets into the very demanded classes like Spanish of Chile. That being said, that doesn't mean there are not interesting classes there that could definitely fulfill registration requirements, but it’s also a matter of luck and time. I would say overall academics are very good at PUC at least compared to other universities in Chile. In the end I got into interesting classes and past student evaluations were very helpful (for the most part) and will get somewhere between 1-3 credits based upon how generous the Spanish department. For students who are from school like Middlebury where classes abroad are not pass/fail, I would say also you don't get to enjoy your classes as much as other international students who are taking it pass/fail because you may constantly worry about because in Chile grades are usually very nebulous until the very end of the term and professors there don't really understand your concern between getting a 4.7 and a 6. The Chilean students themselves basically consider their classes pass/fail. In the end, I did fine in all my classes and there was a little grade inflation towards the end but taking classes pass/fail (like nearly all the other international students I met) would have made my experience less stressful. I would say I improved well in all areas of language except speaking. I spent a lot of time listening in class but I didn't get a chance to speak that much.

On-site administration of your program

While I wasn't happy with my program, I did find the Middlebury staff abroad very professional and helpful. They really care about the students and did organize some very nice programs and trips for us, which were the highlight of my experience. The main advisor who was a linguistic specialist even took the time to personally go over all my papers with me before I turned them in, and did whatever he could to make the program better. That being said, it was beyond their power of the on-site staff to change the structure of the program as a whole.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

You should choose a study abroad program where you are living with other international students, or university students of some kind. I know it sounds sexy now that your host family will be amazing and/or your house will be a bubbling center of university age activity, and yes that happens for some, but reality could hit and suddenly your living with a mother of two struggling to make ends meet (whose very sweet and does her very best) who only returns home late at night. Your host brother could introduce you to all his friends and show you the country or he could spend all his time in his room playing league of legends. You could leave (which I eventually did) but you know your family will face the economic consequence of you leaving. But in South America you realize, if you don't look out for yourself no one will.

My first host family didn't send me lunch even though it was supposedly included with rent. I mean, I could easily buy lunch everyday and they were a family trying to save a little money. They often didn't understand why I ate more food than or was still hungry after one plate of

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

PUC is like Princeton of the U.S. (or at least how you might mentally imagine a ). This is a school for the wealthiest and most conservative members of the Chilean elite and they act like it. My classmates, though polite and helpful say if you have specific question, weren't really interested in genuinely becoming friends with the international students. In Chile, its very hard to meet somebody unless somebody introduces you or you have a mutual friend (otherwise people kind of are just like "who are you and why are you in my class?). As an international student, this cultural norm becomes very challenging and frustrating. Your only chance is say having a relationship

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Healthcare is good in Chile but GlobalHealth has a complicated system that can delay you getting an appointment. If you need something, I would recommend just paying for it in cash and figuring out reimbursement later.

Chile can be a dangerous country but if your careful its completely fine. I would say you are most vulnerable your first few weeks before you know really anything. Also, if you are Asian or blond, you may have additional problems but nothing that will seriously hamper your experience you just have to be extra cautious. Be wary of alcohol you have not purchased yourself.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Really depends on your host family, I was buying a lot of food until I moved out and then after that I never had to spend anything on food. Also, the metro and taxi prices are very high and you don't get the student discount if your their only a semester.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

People on the program were generally

Select all that apply

• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Local Students
• International Students

• the trips
• the advisor
• classes were reasonably organized

• live with the other international students
• don't do a program where you commute 50 minutes to school
• pass/fail would help free up time to socialize

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