Great experience! Past Review
By A student (Health: Science, Society and Policy, Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/25/2013 to 06/10/2013 with
SIT Study Abroad: Chile - Public Health, Traditional Medicine, and Community Empowerment
I cannot fully describe what I learned in words. One must have to go on the program and experience it for themself to completely understand what I learned from my experience on this program. I learned an immense amount about Chilean culture, family, and of course Spanish. I learned how to live and integrate into a language and culture that is not my own. I learned about the Chilean healthcare system first hand through shadowing health professionals and being a patient myself. I lived and learned about traditional medicine from the Mapuche and Aymaran indigenous community. This experience is very unique and worthwhile - I would most definitely recommend it to people who are interested in health care and Latin American language and culture.
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? |
I broke my ankle while in Chile, and I felt that the program was very in good in getting me seen by a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor and program staff came right away to my homestay after we called for help. The healthcare system in Chile is advanced but different than the US in that the majority of the population uses the public system. I, as a foreigner, utilized the private system. The type of cast they used for my broken ankle was different than what they would have used in the states, but I felt like it did the job fine. I was satisfied with the attention given to me by the doctor and the program staff when this incident occurred. |
| * Safety: |
Arica is a small and very safe city. I felt comfortable walking around by myself. |
| 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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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 |
| 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? | Speak Spanish with the other kids in your program- it might be hard at first but it will help you improve each other's language skills. Also speak to your family as much as possible. Ask questions, get to know 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? | There are many words in Chile that are specific to the country - they are called 'chilenismos'. Much of the Spanish I learned in school prior to coming to Chile didn't apply there, so I had to learn many new words. Chileans also speak very fast with a lot of slang. |
