An unforgettable experience. Past Review
By Pastor A (International Relations, Claremont McKenna College) - abroad from 02/21/2017 to 06/05/2017 with
SIT Study Abroad: Chile - Comparative Education and Social Change
During my time abroad I was able to improve on my Spanish abilities and I am now able to better understand a different accent and speed that I previously struggled with.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The program was rigorous and exposed us to challenging topics in education and social change. During the program we visited different types of schools in Chile and Argentina. The instructors at the discussions were experts on the topics that they covered and were available for any follow ups. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was very responsive and responsible with the program. They are really kind and caring, constantly looking out for ones well being. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
All of my host parents were really loving and treated me like I was their son. They would often ask me how I was doing and tried really hard to make my stay comfortable. |
| * Food: |
My host parents made sure to ask me at the beginning of the program about the types of food I liked and did not like. I can not think of a time I was served a food I didn't like. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated into the local culture. By the end of the first week i was going to local soccer games. Additionally my host mom would invite me with her to family gatherings where I got to meet host uncles and host cousins. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Before leaving for study abroad you are asked to get some vaccines that are pretty routine. I did not have direct experience with the local healthcare system, but I did have friends who needed medical attention and the program administration, from what i observed, responded effectively to the situations. |
| * Safety: |
I am from Los Angeles and am very used to traveling by public transit. I found Santiago, Chile and Buenos Aires, Argentina to be your typical urban city. During first two days everyone has orientation in which the program covers safe habits that students should exercise while in the city. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The program exposed us to many complex issues in education and social justice that because period of time we weren't able to fully explore. |
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) |
Living on a student budget was pretty easy especially considering breakfast, lunch and dinner is covered by the host family. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would take out money from the ATM in increments of about $100 though I started taking out money in larger increments half way through the program because the ATM fee is about $10. |
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 |
Speaking in Spanish was heavily encouraged. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| 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? | 4th semester Spanish |
| 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? | Use Spanish as much as you can and make sure that you use it conversation with the other students of the program. It is very easy to to start speaking english when around other American students. |
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? | There were many culturally significant sites that I found out about while there that i wish i had known before hand. I highly recommend that everyone have a list of sites that they want to visit before arriving in the country. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
