A fun but challenging experience July 28, 2025

By A student (Conservation Biology, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/24/2025 to 07/15/2025 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Valdivia

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

It was worthwhile, but it was really hard. I got to meet many people who taught me so much about Chile. I also learned a lot about what I am like when all my supports are stripped away.

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.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes I hesitate, but Chile is a beautiful country and the people are so kind. If I could change anything, I would change my own choices about how to use my time.

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?	50ish
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Eat with your host families and if you travel, stay in youth hostels.

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?	Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	300
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?	Really immerse yourself and try your best to struggle through speaking and writing. Music is also really helpful.

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
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?	Immersion in Chilean Culture Language Environment
* What could be improved?	Internship Writing Class Preparation
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I had known that the first few months would be the time to do a lot of exploring because thats when we had more free time.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Internship
Course Department:	Middlebury
Instructor:	Christina Rosales
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	Felt very disorganized, boss was not very communicative, was very interesting when I was doing work with the organization.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Independent Project
Course Department:	Middlebury
Instructor:	Estación Biológica Senda Darwin
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	Challenging in the sense that it was a lot of work and difficult to communicate with our partners, but a very interesting and fun experience. Assessed with a final scientific report.
Credit Transfer Issues:	NA

Course Name/Rating:	Ecofisiología de Plantas
Course Department:	Recursos Naturales
Instructor:	Susana Paula
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This course was challenging because the professor is very strict with what she wants, but the material is interesting. Assessed with group reports and a final presentation.
Credit Transfer Issues:	NA

Course Name/Rating:	Invertebrados Marinos
Course Department:	Biología Marina
Instructor:	Luis Pardo
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	Very challenging course, but so interesting. Loved the instructor, though he won't be teaching it in the future. Assessed with tests in both lecture and lab.
Credit Transfer Issues:	NA