Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Yes, why not! February 23, 2023

By (Conservation Biology, Middlebury College) - abroad from 07/25/2022 to 12/20/2022 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Valdivia

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I improved my Spanish skills, amplified my worldview, met great people, saw amazing places, and created lifelong memories. 100% worth it.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I really enjoyed my time in Valdivia with this program! It had highs and lows, all of which combined to make it a very formative experience. I feel like I got a great taste of the culture of Chile and feel lucky to have gone to so many beautiful places and met such kind people.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Our coordinators in Chile were all very kind and had the best intentions to help us as they could. Our scheduling for meetings and events was unclear at times and we had to adapt a bit. I appreciate the guidance they provided during our time there.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was very fortunate to have a welcoming host family! I lived in a great house in a nice neighborhood, had a loving host mother and grandmother, ate delicious food, and have many happy memories to take home with me.

* Food:

The food was great! It took a bit of adjusting, though I ultimately really enjoyed it. Good soups, grilled meat, empanadas, bread, produce, fish... I could go on all day!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I was able to integrate well with my family, my internship, and other activities I sought out during my time in Chile. I was expecting my time at the university to give me more integration than it did, though the professors' strike that took place at the beginning of the semester disrupted my ability to get to know people and build relationships quite as much.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

All healthcare issues I encountered were addressed with ease. I, unfortunately, got COVID at the beginning of my time in the country, but my process to get a test, speak with a referring doctor with TeleMedicine, and deal with insurance was smooth.

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe while in Chile. I was careful with having valuables on me and made sure to keep all belongings close... had no issues!

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

I would do the same program again but would prefer a few small changes. I would like to spend more time at the local university and focus more on getting to know friends there vs. spending time with fellow study-abroad students. Otherwise, I really liked the structure of the program and enjoyed the other elements of the experience.

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)

I didn't ever have any issues. I enjoyed food and drink out and bought other items throughout my time in Chile, and it did add up, but I tried to budget to keep myself on track.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Think carefully about what you actually want to spend money on! Food/drink money goes fast so be intentional about watching your finances.

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

We were required to speak only Spanish while in Chile according to a language pledge.

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? 300-level Spanish
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Practice speaking! That's it. You spend the majority of your time talking and interacting with others so being comfortable with the language makes a big difference.

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?
  • Great trip to Torres del Paine National Park.
  • Structure that included internship and independent study along with traditional classes.
  • Connection with cultural mentors and final research trip to Tierra del Fuego with them.
* What could be improved?
  • In-depth information about what to expect prior to the program (i.e. student testimonials).
  • More consistent schedule with logistical meetings and program classes - we were always adjusting.
  • Other opportunities to travel in Chile and experience different cultural/geographical sites.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I could've known more about the university experience and how I would integrate with students there. I also wish I could've known more about the logistical schedule of my study abroad time. I like to be in the know and feel more comfortable when I know what to expect.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Biogeografia
Course Department: Geografia
Instructor: Ana Abarzua
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: This course was awesome and exactly what I was looking for. My professor was very kind and was happy to have me in class. I enjoyed participating and learning about topical information in Chile. Their student platform was difficult to navigate due to issues with access, making it hard for me to have all class documents and access to exam prompts and such. Exams were written and completed with a partner.
Credit Transfer Issues: N/A
Course Name/Rating:

Historias Eco-Sociales de Valdivia
Course Department:
Instructor: Otto Luhrs
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: I had a great experience in this class. It connected me in incredible ways to the city in which we lived by involving me in the actively unfolding social and environmental dynamics. I really appreciated our professor's genuine care and interest in sharing his work and working to make the course interesting and engaging for us. Our assessments were project-based and cumulative over the semester.
Credit Transfer Issues: N/A