Chile: An Unforgettable Experience With a Culture You Will Want to Take Home With You Forever Past Review
By Samantha M (Communicative Disorders - Speech/Language Pathologist, University of Northern Iowa) for
University of Northern Iowa: Arica - Culture and Intensive Spanish Program (CISP)
The experience completely changed my cultural awareness I loved everything about this culture how laid back they are, how important family is, there night life. This was an amazing culture to get to be a part of. It has also made me more grateful and aware of things in my life. I am now planning on majoring in spanish as well not just minoring.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
improved my spanish in every area |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The students were "en toma" so there wasn't access to computers, workout facilities etc. but the overall experience was phenominal. My family was great the professors were outstanding and the program could not have been organized in a better way. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was in a great neighborhood with an outstanding family, I could not have been happier with them |
| * Food: |
My family was an exceptional cook. I would recommend if you don't like meat that much to tell them before hand |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
putre, tacna, tour of arica. All were great cultural experiences |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt safe in the city. Taxi's were needed at night which wasn't a huge deal. We arranged to take them together with people we lived by. |
| 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 |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I got the most practice with my family. It was hard not to speak english with so many english speaking friends. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I feel all students can benefit from this program if they want to improve there spanish and have an incredible experience. The change would be most easy for student's that are outgoing and not shy but everyone "could" benefit from it. It might be a little harder for those that are more reserved and not open for a different lifestyle |
