That is Impossible! Past Review

By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/22/2017 to 07/15/2017 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Valparaiso

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

I learned a lot about independence and how to manage being alone in an unfamiliar environment. My spanish improved immensely, and I learned that I am capable of building a life and community for myself anywhere in the world.

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:
* 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 felt like at the end of my semester I had finally started to feel like it was normal life, with a family and friends and routine, and I would love to have time to continue that and spread my own roots a little bit more. I missed home and was happy to return, but was not ready to leave Chile.

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?	Less than $20
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	The only big cost not covered by the program is transportation, and travel expenses if you want to explore other locations beyond your host city.

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?	300 level
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?	Make Chilean friends or talk to random people you meet! Talking to other exchange students, even in Spanish, makes it hard to get used to different dialects and specific slang.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	International Students 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?	Cultural mentors Internship support staff
* What could be improved?	the culture class
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Middlebury is one of the only study abroad programs in at PUCV that directly enrolls you in Chilean classes, while many other exchange students take classes together in a separate space. I am really appreciative that Middlebury does this and wouldn't have wanted it any other way, I was just unaware prior to the program that we would be so isolated from other exchange students.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Climatology 2
Course Department:	Geography
Instructor:	Ariel Muñoz
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This class was challenging because of its structure, or lack thereof, but the professor had a really unique and inspiring relationship with students and it created a really motivating work environment. I learned a lot from this course, both about the material and having productive relationships with classmates and professors. We had a lot of field work and trips away from campus which I enjoyed. I participated in this class more than any other course, and the reports and presentations that were asked of us were beneficial. Often times they were assigned with little notice, but the professor was flexible.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I have yet to apply for transfer credit, but since it was directly in the geography department I am hoping it will count towards my geography major. The field work and collaboration with peers in this class made it feel similar to a class I would take at Middlebury.