Once in a lifetime experience in one of the most unique cities in the world. Past Review
By A student (Spanish and Latin American Cultures, Barnard College) - abroad from 08/25/2015 to 12/08/2015 with
SIT Study Abroad: Chile - Cultural Identity, Social Justice, and Community Development
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Absolutely worthwhile! Learned so many life skills and how to juggle everything that it throws at you.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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? | Food was provided in my home-stay, most of the money I spent was on transportation because I lived in a neighboring town. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If money-saving is a big priority, request that you live in the city of Valpo rather than in Vina del Mar, a neighboring town. You'll save lots of money on cabs if you don't have far to go in the evenings. |
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 |
The program encouraged language use by placing us with host families who generally didn't speak English, which made it a must to practice our Spanish. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | Third year university level languages courses. |
| 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? | Pick a program that allows you to stay with a host family! SIT does an incredible job of pairing families and students are able to get to know lots of locals through their families, friends of the family, and the host families of your friends in the program. |
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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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Life is too short to stress! Be open to new people and experiences. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
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