Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I accomplished all of my study abroad goals! Past Review

By (Haverford College) - abroad from 07/24/2019 to 12/15/2019 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Santiago

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Spanish fluency, cultural immersion, many instances outside of my comfort zone! Yes, very worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 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?

* Food:

Being a vegetarian in Chile lacks some variety and can be expensive.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I passed for Chilean, so I felt even more integrated in public. People asked me for directions all the time.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't use it.

* Safety:

I always felt safe (save for during the protests), and if you followed all of the program's advice, you were fine.

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

I learned more than I ever would've at a semester at Haverford. It was a semester of personal and academic growth.

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)

My biggest expense was metro tickets and ubers.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $60-$100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Get the student metro card, don't take taxis, don't eat out too much.

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? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish literature 300 level course
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? Date a native spanish speaker. Find a friend group outside of the program so you're constantly with native speakers.

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
  • 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?
  • The language pledge
  • The independence
  • The care/attention of the directors
* What could be improved?
  • The internship
  • The communication during the protests
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The way to improve your language skills is by talking to native speakers and messing up all the time. Just do it without feeling insecure and you'll succeed. Let yourself fail a bunch of times!

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!