Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amazing! Past Review

By (Geology, Macalester College) - abroad from 01/17/2014 to 04/11/2014 with

Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Learned how to relax and enjoy a beautiful natural setting. Learned about rural land use practices and issues. Learned about the difficulties of conservation in locations that people have cultural and economic ties to the environment being preserved. Very worthwhile experience.

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.

Academics were very easy, but also somewhat frustrating and repetitive

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Instructors were, for the most part, very nice and organized.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Beautiful location. Lovely people.

* Food:

The food is as good as you make it because you make it. Not all food options Americans are accustomed to are available in Patagonia.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Initially, I was not at all exposed to the local culture. But after we moved into Cochrane and spent time with CONAF in Bernard O'Higgins National Park, I felt immersed.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not need any healthcare attention, but I felt safe and that ample healthcare was available for almost any situation.

* Safety:

So safe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

If you did not want to buy coffee/snacks/gifts in town, you could spend less than $100 very easily for the entire program.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $10 on coffee at most, usually much less.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you want to use the internet, go to the library. They have computers and wifi available.

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

We did not expect to need much Spanish, but ended up using Spanish a lot. I really enjoyed the opportunity to practice/learn Spanish even though I had very little previous exposure to the language.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? two years in high school, remembered none
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? Go to Don Gabriel's coffee shop! I can't remember the name, but it is in the Cochrane city center. Very friendly guy. Loves to talk with tourists and has lots of patience with people with poor Spanish skills.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Location
  • Location
  • Location
* What could be improved?
  • Academics
  • Student Projects
  • Spend more time with CONAF
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would have packed much lighter. The packing list is WAY to long. Could have done with about half the clothing suggested by the list.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'