Assimilating to Chile: the Search for Identity. Past Review
By Joel A (Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services., University of North Dakota) for
USAC Chile: Santiago - Spanish Language, Latin American Cultures, Journalism, and International Studies
There are certain things that professors and white classrooms will never be able to instruct or prove to the student's eyes. In partaking in this adventure, I've found myself, which is someone I thought I already knew. And being fluent in a second language never hurts.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad Andres Bello |
| 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 grading system was a bit misconstrued as I felt my grade did not represent the work and time I put into the assigned tasks. Overall, the class sizes were small and a personal level was easily attainable by basic greetings and sustained-intelligent conversation. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were incredibly polite, but I was told numerous of times that my program was too expensive for what I purchased. So in my tormented mind, I'm not sure what debauchery occured under the table--if any. Also, I was somewhat disappointed in their transfer credit procedure as I was not properly given what I asked for. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The first six weeks were rather pleasant and highly beneficial to my tongue and linguistical ability. But, my host-brother moved out at the beginning of week 7 and my host mother never spoke to me for fun, but only to discipline me for mediocre offenses such as doing laundry without her knowledge. |
| * Food: |
Chile is highly nutritious among vegetable variety and Fruit usage. However, they do taint their products with excessive oil and salt amounts which are associated with stomach-cancer rates being so high in the South American Nation. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Atacama Desert offered a search for Inner-peace which was highly individualistic and somewhat like a narcotic for the soul. Being with other American students with different backgrounds made every field trip, especially Atacama, truly memorable. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
This program is incredibly safe, except for the weekend nightlife. Where the natives partake in excessive substance abuse, is a place foreigners should be aware and stray from those neighborhoods. However, my living quarters, my street and my apartment building were all structurally sound and safe. |
| 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? |
Obviously I practiced with my host family every morning-dawn to dusk-while groggy and conforming to an easy-going culture. The professor herself also forced the language upon us, ambitious students. |
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? | Be honest. This is an educational course, not a vacation. But to experience a new, progressive culture is mentally stimulating and will be a memory that will never leave your being. To be blessed with an opportunity to break the monotonic shackles of a conditioned university life is a life-altering experience in itself. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Spanish Composition |
| Course Department: | Span. 307 |
| Instructor: | Marcela Leon |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | This course was challenging and rigid in assigned work, but as is to be stern--the homework was beneficial and fair to the promotion of University learning. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Be sure that credits transfer properly and that an equilibrium between both institutions are attainable. |
