As the first Middlebury student in Villarrica, things went remarkably well August 09, 2023
By Maya H (Environmental Studies, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/27/2023 to 07/15/2023 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Villarrica
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Language, cross-cultural learning, independence, new experiences and relationships, some academic learning. It was worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Maybe $10-50 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | 400 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? | talk to people |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The language barrier would be a multi-dimensional challenge; that poor mental health/unresolved related issues would impact my experience and already having better support in place for mental health would have helped; helps to be proactive and independent |
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 AdventurerThe 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: |
SUS2250: Planning for Sustainable Development Workshop |
| Course Department: | Sustainable Development |
| Instructor: | Gonzalo Salazar |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Professor was prepared and engaged, but the semester-long group project that was the basis for the course was poorly timed (little time left for action at the end of the semester). |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
SUS2230: Interculturality and Development |
| Course Department: | Sustainable Development |
| Instructor: | Laura Luna |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Interesting topics, class itself strangely/randomly organized and not super engaging |
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SUS2220: Human Ecology and Territory |
| Course Department: | Sustainable Development |
| Instructor: | Tomás Ibarra |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Enjoyed field trip, professor very knowledgeable, class topics randomly organized but interesting |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
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