What A Year Past Review
By Helene Sudac (Bates College) - abroad from 07/23/2017 to 07/10/2018 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Valparaiso
Perseverance. Obviously in the beginning it was tough with the language, especially because Chile has their own "version" of Spanish with lots of slang. But I truly learned how to overcome challenges and make the best out of it all.
Review Photos
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. |
PUCV is a great university, but I am rating it a 3 only in comparison to Bates |
|
* 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? |
Being directly enrolled in the courses was the best, and speaking Spanish 100% of the time is the best way to integrate yourself within the university, friends, etc. |
|
* 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 had an incredible year studying in valparaiso, and I'm so grateful for the staff that work with Middlebury. It's an extremely independent program that gives you lots of lee-way and independence. |
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) |
Chile is a bit expensive.. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Maybe 10 pesos chilenos, Maximum 15-20 for very special occasions |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook for yourself ! If you don't live in a house family (like I did second Semester) and try and get school passes for the metro and micros |
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 |
Middlebury is known for their language promise, so it is *highly* encouraged that you speak the native language of a country. |
| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | A 200 level Spanish course at Bates |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Listen to music! Read the news, books, anything in Spanish. Practice and you will get better |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Maybe a few more slang words before going, but nothing really :) |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
