Chile: Learning to Really Live Past Review
By E L (TESOL/Spanish, University of Northern Iowa) for
University of Tarapaca: Arica - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Yes! I had SUCH an amazing experience in Chile, and I do this whole experience over again in a heartbeat. Going to Chile has really changed my cultural outlook, and despite a few problems with the Study Abroad Office, I've really had the time of my life here.
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 |
Nice size for the program, felt like people involved with the program knew us personally and were very supportive. There were some organizational issues (not informing that we had to arrange for taxis, hotels when we left the country; events that came up with little forewarning), but generally, I was happy with the program. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Was very happy with my host family--had a very welcoming family, good home environment, and I felt at home right away. |
| * Food: |
The food here is wonderful--eat all of it, and go to DiMangos whenever possible. |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
Felt safe in the city--you have to be careful as you would anywhere else, but I never felt really threatened or unsafe in Arica. I was sick once here, and my host mother, who is a nurse, took very good care of me. |
| 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 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
My host family, professors, conversation partners, people we encountered in everyday life, as well as other participants in the program. We did generally speak in English when with other UNI students, but we got a lot of practice speaking Spanish with our host families and others. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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? | Mostly, I would tell them to do it! There is so much to gain from going to Chile--I learned the language, ate wonderful foods, met fantastic people, and had the time of my life. I do think you need to be open to new things to go on this program, but I think that's really true of any travel experience. |
