No Chili in Chile Past Review
By Emily B (Dickinson College) - abroad from 02/23/2014 to 06/09/2014 with
SIT Study Abroad: Chile - Cultural Identity, Social Justice, and Community Development
Yes! I learned so much. From how to cook, how to use Chilenismos properly, how to avoid natural disasters, and how to set up a doctor's appointment in South America.
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. |
I loved the academics with Casa SIT. The classes were challenging for me because of my spanish level but doable! The classes were interactive, the professors engaging, and the topic fascinating and applicable. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrators at Casa SIT were helpful and present. They were willing to help me with anything I needed whether that was academically, socially, or if I just needed a cup of coffee. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
LOVE LOVE LOVE. I had the most amazing host family who were attentive, patient, loving, kind, and funny. I was (and still am) a member of the family and they treated me as a daughter. I have stayed with many host families and they were by far the best I have ever had. Everyone in my program seemed happy with their living arrangements. |
| * Food: |
Very bland. Chileans don't eat dinner and lunch is their main meal. Don't expect too much. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I had lots of Chilean friends because of my host sister and friend's host brother. The social integration is there if you search for it. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was VERY sick while I was there (horrible immune system). One of the directors came with me to the hospital along with my host family and they were very flexible about my schoolwork if I needed to miss class. It is scary being sick so far away from home but in-country people are great. I had no problems getting medicines or seeing doctors. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe during my semester but pickpocketing is high in the country. Don't draw attention to yourself as a foreigner and you will be fine. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? | $20 |
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 |
We were encouraged to use spanish always even when we were with other Americans. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | First semester college level 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? | Try to speak spanish as much as possible. It is hard but well worth it! |
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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| 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? | more Spanish... |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
