A look into Chilean health and traditional medicine Past Review
By Zoe T (Public Health., Tulane University) - abroad from 02/26/2013 to 06/10/2013 with
SIT Study Abroad: Chile - Public Health, Traditional Medicine, and Community Empowerment
I learned about the Chilean health care system and about traditional methods of medicine. My Spanish improved more than anything. I think the lessons I learned outside of the classroom were the most important. I learned about the importance of challenging myself and I learned about how to communicate in another language.
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. |
The courses and information were repetitive and did not feel too challenging. The opportunity to conduct research was a great strength of the program. My Spanish grew much more than my knowledge about public health. The program does a great job of improving your Spanish speaking skills. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Directors of the program do a good job of making themselves available. I wish I had felt more independent and less tied to the program. The program is very structured. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The homestay experience was a great part of the program. It's a great way to improve your Spanish and learn about day to day life and culture in Chile. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
With this program you get the chance to live in a small community. There are very few people that speak English. It was nice to feel like a local for a few months rather than feeling like a tourist. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The directors helped the student with any health problems. |
| * Safety: |
Arica is a very small and safe community. It was great to be able to walk around at night and alway feel secure. If you travel to larger cities this is not always the case. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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? | $10 |
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 |
A great program to improve you Spanish |
| 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? | 4050 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Listening to music or podcasts and watching movies ca be helpful. Reading can also help with vocabulary. You can only do so much to prepare. It seems like immersing yourself is the best way to learn. |
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? | I did not realize how health focused the program is. I am very interested in health but the study abroad experience is about much more than that. I felt like I missed the opportunity to learn a lot about Chilean history and culture. |
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! |
