The Waves of Chile August 23, 2024
By A student (Education, Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/20/2024 to 06/03/2024 with
SIT Study Abroad: Chile - Cultural Identity, Social Justice, and Community Development
In addition to my language skills hugely improving, I learned about the patience, persistence, independence, and openness it takes to go to a fully new place alone and learn how to live there. I also gained a new perspective on sharing with people around you and was very inspired by the societal friendliness there. Though my experience was very hard at times I do still think it was worthwhile and I am glad to have been able to live 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. |
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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? |
No
I really wished that I'd had more opportunities to meet more local people my age and that there had just been more people to become friends with generally. My program was very small and I didn't really end up having a steady group of people within it, which unfortunately did really affect my social enjoyment of the entire semester. |
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? | Depended on the week, sometimes none, sometimes $50-$100 |
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? | 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? | HISP 164B |
| 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 it even when you don't need to; ask questions; keep a running list of words you learn |
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? | That I needed to go more out of my way to create individual relationships with local people and even the people on my program (just being together for all classes during the day doesn't bond everyone alone) |
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! |
