Perfectly amazing and life changing September 14, 2022
By Alessandra F (Politics, Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/22/2022 to 06/06/2022 with
SIT Study Abroad: Chile - Cultural Identity, Social Justice, and Community Development
I gained a lot of confidence and self assurance. So so worth it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Most rigorous part was conducting my ISP, I enjoyed it but wish the process to choosing your ISP was a bit longer. |
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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: |
Valparaíso has its safety issues but they felt like the common issues usually found in big cities. I never felt unsafe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I absolutely loved my program, it was intense and tiring so many times but it pushed me in so many ways. I met truly incredible people in Chile and learned so much, everyday felt surreal! |
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? | Less than or equal to $100 each week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save your money for one big trip rather than several! Go on small trips and then splurge on a bigger trip with people you trust. |
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 |
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| 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? | 3rd year college 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? | Hang out with your family and speak with them! It's good to mess up around them, they want to help. Spend as much time as you can with them. |
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? | How long my days would be |
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! |
