Immersive experience in Chilean culture and public health! Past Review
By Allison B (Public Health, Bowdoin College) - abroad from 08/25/2015 to 12/07/2015 with
SIT Study Abroad: Chile - Public Health, Traditional Medicine, and Community Empowerment
I learned a lot about Chilean culture and improved my Spanish skills.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Great program! Very immersive, a great way to explore Chilean culture and public health. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Administration was a bit of a low point to the program. Organization was poor and the program lacked structure in someways. The cultural immersion and field aspect of the program greatly made up for this drawback. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Homestay was a great way to experience the culture! |
| * Food: |
I had the opportunity to try lots of Chilean cuisine. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Homestay was a great way to meet local people and interact with a Chilean family. |
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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
The program field components were great- we had the opportunity to travel all over Chile and compare aspects of the public health system and traditional medicine system. |
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) |
Program paid for travel excursions and most food. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $20 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Chile is very affordable! |
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 |
All coursework and papers conducted in 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? | 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 with your host family/locals! |
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? | Be aware that SIT does not allow you to travel outside of the country during the program. This was made up for by the travel we did with the program, but it is good to be aware that independent foreign travel during the program is not allowed. |
