Chile- something new, something familiar Past Review
By A student ((1) Spanish, Hispanic Studies (2) History, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 08/01/2011 to 07/04/2012 with
Pontifical Catholic University of Chile: Santiago - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was completely worthwhile- I had a wonderful time and it has definitely changed my life- it's great here. If people want something not quite Europe or the North America, but not like much of Latin America, then it's the place to go. A unique country and quite interesting.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
In Chile, the superior education system is flawed. IT is getting better, and there are many fantastic teachers, and resources are decent, but expecting world-class infrastructure and services from the best university is not what one should expect. I had a wonderful time at my time at PUC, met many great, intelligent, and fascinating people in academic settings here, but they still need to do a lot more to improve and reach a U.S. level, something they imitate and would love to achieve. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
No one is available on-site to help U.T. exchange students directly other than other UT students you happen to meet on the ground already in Chile. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
If students live with other friends, they can find apartments cheaper than Austin in decent neighborhoods around the city. Don't expect to live close to school- most likely the commute will be between 30 to 50 minutes, the farther the neighborhood (Ñuñoa, Providencia, Las Condes) the better it is. Host family situations are hit or miss- I moved three and a half months early out of my host family's home because I didn't appreciate how they treated me. |
| * Food: |
Chilean food is really not that great. I have found some national plates that I like (pastel de choclo, empanadas, panqueques, chorillanas) but a lot of it is just full of mayo, salt, and avocado (the can seriously eat half to one advocado each at a time in one meal if not more, on a regular basis- learn to love it while you're there). Plus, if it's not off the street, dining out is expensive, many times at U.S. prices. However, the seafood is fantastic (though expensive), in addition Pthe barbeques (asados). The national liquor, pisco, is good and similar to whiskey, and their local craft beers and wine is all delicious. Lot's of decent international food as well is to be found in Santiago. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
For a gringo, I integrated very well. My primary social circle the first semester was about 50% Chilean, 50% foreigners, and in the second semester it was practically 95% Chilean. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Chilean healthcare, especially what an exchange student gets through the PUC medical system, is great. I had to deal with them for a variety of minor medical reasons and they tended to me well everytime. The only problem is that every exchange student must pay up front for all service and then be reimbursed later. |
| * Safety: |
Overall, Santiago is a pretty safe city. Like anywhere in the world, it has its fair share of dangerous parts, but that doesn't it make it bad. Especially where most students live they should feel safe to walk at night by themselves. However, for a young foreign woman, especially if she is obviously foreign, can have more problems than most guys while walking at night. Just ask around people in your neighborhood if it's safe or not- Chileans know these things and are more than happy to help out foreigners. |
| 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) |
Santiago is expensive- expect US prices for many things. However, locally produced products such as fruits and vegetables, pisco, liquor and wine are all cheap. Rent is cheaper than the U.S. or the same, nightlife can be expensive. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do little odd-jobs at PUC such as helping out the library to teach Chileans English- no experience is necessary, it's fun and easy, and you get a little spending cash. |
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 |
I spoke Spanish everyday, sometimes for days straight without ever speaking English. This helped me become bilingual by the end of my year here. |
| 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? | Spanish Writing and Composition courses, Spanish Literature |
| 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? | Integrate yourself into the local culture through social connections- significant others, boyfriends/girlfriends, friends, and conversing with random people you meet everyday. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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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? | I wish I knew how similar Chile is to the United States in so many ways. I would have liked to know that Chilean Spanish is such an isolated dialect that one really cannot apply it outside of said country. I wish I knew that I would be on my own to deal with most of the craziness during the first month in Chile when there were national strikes, marches, and police repression. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Español de Chile |
| Course Department: | Facultad de Letras |
| Instructor: | Castillo |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | The course is presented through UT as a basic linguistic course, but in reality it's highly sophisticated and not at a beginner's level. And to top it off, the professor does not help out the foreign students more like she should. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Difficult course in linguistics not meant to be at a beginner's level, but rather is the last class for linguistics majors. |
