Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A review of a fall (our fall) semester at la UTA Past Review

By (French/Spanish, University of Northern Iowa) for

University of Tarapaca: Arica - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Living in another country gives you a better perspective on both your own country and the rest of the world.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

There is a lot of specialized reading to do. The readings are a little less organized than they might be in the U.S.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was about a 5 minute walk from the University.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

I could practice language with my host family, classmates, professors, people in shops and restaurants... basically everyone.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Make sure you have taken either Advanced Writing or the summer program (CISP) or you will have difficulty transferring your classes as anything but electives.