Spanish-immersion experience in Chile Past Review
By Whitney M (Communication Studies, Spanish, Hamline University) for
Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso: Valparaiso - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was worthwhile, I just wish there had been more resources available to us in that country from my program. Other programs (e.g. IFSA Butler) had separate orientation programs for this specific study abroad program. It was a way to meet other people in the same program, and they were provided with more guidance and counseling on site. There was also more touring of the area with other programs with guides who were familiar with the area.
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. |
Chilean professors were understanding of the language barrier and helping me learn Chilean "modismos" or slang. I only had one class that I did not like at all (see courses below). |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All of the staff was very available to us in the international student office, and they were always incredibly helpful. We had computers and printers at our disposal, and an area to meet with other study abroad students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My family spoke Spanish with me often, and I loved spending time with them. My only negative comment is that the expectations my host mom had for me changed from the beginning of my trip to the end, which made me feel uncomfortable at times. |
| * Food: |
The food was good, and my family was very hospitable. They just a lot of bread, and I got sick of bread and butter. They don't use a lot of spices either, so the food was naturally more bland. However, the fresh fruits and vegetables are amazing in the area I lived, and my family kept fruit in the house at all times for snack. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We were taken to a winery for a tour for a cheap student price, and we received a tour of a local theatre, chocolate shop, museum, tour of the winery, a presentation of the national dance, and provided with lunch and a free bottle of wine. It was fantastic. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Travel in groups, NEVER walk alone at night, especially if you are a woman. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced the language with my host family the most, but professors were also helpful in explaining something if I was unsure. Three very good friends I met there were also native English speakers, but we all made a pact to only speak Spanish together. Almost every natural citizen in the country spoke only Spanish, so I definitely received an immersion experience. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Anyone seeking a Spanish immersion experience will benefit from this program. If you can understand Chilean Spanish, you can understand any Spanish. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Lectura de Salmos |
| Course Department: | ICR-035-1 |
| Instructor: | |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | The professor traveled to Europe for three weeks during the semester, and we often did not meet due to protests in the area. The discussion of the Psalms was interesting, but I wish I had had the Psalm to read ahead of time. There was no syllabus, nor was there homework except for a final paper, an analysis of a Psalm of your choice. This course did challenge me to interpret religious text in a way that is "outside the box." |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | The transcript still has not arrived at my university at this time. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Narrativa Hispanoamericana Siglos XVI-XVIII |
| Course Department: | LCL-523-1 |
| Instructor: | Hugo Herrera Pardo |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | I furthered my knowledge on South American history through the literature, discussion and lecture. The professor was very knowledgeable and effectively communicated history, assignments, etc. to our class. He included different aspects of the culture, such as art and film, to compliment our learning with different mediums to aid our learning and our own understanding of the culture. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | The transcript still has not arrived at my university at this time. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Espanol y cultura chilena |
| Course Department: | PIIE 340-03 |
| Instructor: | Cecilia Araneda |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | This course was amazingly helpful. Cecilia always took the time to explain any words/phrases/cultural experiences that did not understand. She was incredibly knowledgeable about Chilean culture, and gave us several opportunities during and outside of class to interact with/experience the culture. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | The transcript still has not arrived at my university at this time. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
La Historia Urbana y Regional de Valparaiso |
| Course Department: | HIS-557-1 |
| Instructor: | Ricardo Iglesias Segura, Maria Jose Tapia Moreno, Raul Burgos Pinto |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | I did not like this class at all. The professor solely read from PowerPoint presentations, we did not receive rubrics or feedback for our papers, and our grades were posted for all of our classmates to see with our full names alongside. We never discussed our readings; the professor just talked about the points that he/she wanted us to know in the PowerPoint. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | The transcript still has not arrived at my university at this time. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Cantos, Juegos y Bailes Tradicionales |
| Course Department: | EPE-478-1 |
| Instructor: | Maria Eugenia Alejandra Cisternaz Valenzuela |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | This was such a fun class! It was challenging to learn the indigenous language at times, but it was really helpful in understanding the culture and the influence the indigenous language has had on the Spanish spoken there. The professor presented the songs, games and dances along with the historical background with use of literature, film and asking us to present parts of the culture in short "plays." |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | The transcript still has not arrived at my university at this time. |
