Chile: It will open your eyes. Past Review
By Julia W (Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication., Kansas State University) for
Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso: Valparaiso - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I have a whole new appreciation for the U.S.A. and will love to travel more but appreciate my home country more than ever.
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. |
My professors were wonderful, I had a great connections with Soraya Frías who taught me grammar and writing. She was great and her teaching methods were perfect for us foreigners learning Spanish. I wish I could say more about the educational system but I was unable to participate in the typical Chilean university unfortunately. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My expectations were not met at all, it was an extremely difficult time for Chile economically speaking with an emphasis on the educational system therefore the program was extremely disorganized. We were constantly canceling school because it was too dangerous for students to travel to the makeshift school for us. It was a difficult time, however I learned a lot and I really appreciate my home country and university so much! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was treated sometimes as a family member and sometimes as a renter. At first they treated me as their daughter, they were extremely protective however very warm and welcoming. I was close to the metro which gave me easy access to nightlife, school, grocery store, shopping, parks, etc. |
| * Food: |
They fed me SO much food, at times I thought I literally wouldn't be able to fit any more food into my body. However the food was more or less healthy. They eat lots and lots of bread, on average a person would have six slices a day, i.e. 3 for breakfast and 3 for dinner. Future students should dine in "zero alegre" in valparaíso, they have some amazing little restaurants. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We traveled to coffee shops and ice cream shops for class, we also did a class field trip to la isla negra which was also an amazing trip. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
It was not exactly a safe place. As I already mentioned there were protests practically every day. I attended a clinic however when I caught bronchitis and they were really great to me and treated me that day and sent me home with medicine. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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? | I spent probably around $50 - $100 dollars per week, souvenirs, travel, drinks, etc. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Costs of entering into cities like buenos aires where you'll have to pay an extra amount because you're american. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | A student who is really into educational rights and economical unrest. |
