Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Comfort, community, and warmth Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/26/2019 to 06/10/2019 with

SIT Study Abroad: Chile - Comparative Education and Social Change

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about how children and people are shaped by their societies and educational systems. I learned that I can connect with lots of different types of people. It was definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

Though the SIT program has some organizational issues and a small number of staff to teach/support students, I enjoyed the aspect of having a close-knit group of students and adults so I never felt alone or too independent.

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)

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

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 106
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Made great friends within the program
  • Got to study my specific academic interest experientially
  • Was taken out of my comfort zone
* What could be improved?
  • Clearer academic instructions/expectations
  • More program support from academic professionals and mental health professionals
  • More travel
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The information about Chile given to me by SIT encouraged me to be very cautious about how I dressed and the way I was being perceived in terms of professionalism and sexuality, but I found everyone I met to be very open-minded, accepting, and not judgmental about appearance.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!