Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Human Rights Track in Santiago Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 07/27/2017 to 12/15/2017 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Santiago

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It is absolutely worthwhile - I gained a bolstered sense of independence and adaptability, the confidence to continue traveling and immersing myself in foreign environments, and a profound connection with Chilean culture and Latin American relations in general.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I stayed with a Chilean friend who I had met prior to arriving to Chile.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not experience health issues during my semester in Santiago, so I feel that my rating should be voided.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

The internship, independent research project and university courses contributed to my experience in Santiago being highly immersive in a number of different capacities. I got to use Santiago as my classroom, and grew personally, professionally and academically while soaking in Chilean culture.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $40
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Use online resources to find cheap hostals and package adventure deals when traveling.

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? Advanced
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? 350
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? Talk to everybody. Strike up conversations randomly with students at your university. Those first moments where you feel nervous that you won't understand or won't fit in are the most crucial for your confidence. The native students are just as curious about you as you are about them, and likely will be very interested in sharing about their culture with you.

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?
  • Multi-dimensionality of the educational and professional experience
  • Immersiveness of the experience at the host university
  • Opportunities that Santiago provides in terms of entertainment and professional events
* What could be improved?
  • Host family selection
  • Housing costs
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known about the infrastructural difficulties that I would experience at my university in terms of registering for classes and getting my student ID cards. They took a very long time to get processed and it was quite bureaucratic.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!