Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Fun time in Chile September 18, 2023

By (Computer Science, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/27/2023 to 07/07/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Valparaiso

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained spanish language skills

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? ~$50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat with your host family

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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? a 300 level spanish class
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • the host family
  • being in a local university
  • the location
* What could be improved?
  • more orientation
  • more support integrating from program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? how tiring it is speaking a different language all the time

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Base de Datos
Course Department: Computer Science
Instructor: Delia Ibache
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: It was adequately challenging, I was assessed with mainly homework and exams. I participated more or less the same that I would at my home institution.
Credit Transfer Issues: Not sure have not tried yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Antropoligía Cultural
Course Department: Anthropology
Instructor: Colin Clement
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: The class was not challenging and it also was not that interesting. It was a big class so I participated less than I may normally. We were evaluated mostly on group projects which I liked
Credit Transfer Issues: I have not tried yet so I don't know
Course Name/Rating:

Historia de la Mapuche
Course Department: History
Instructor: Tomas Catepillan
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: It was challenging but interesting. I participated about the same. We were assessed on several summaries and a final project.
Credit Transfer Issues: I have not tried yet so I dont know
Course Name/Rating:

Geografía de la Pobreza
Course Department: Trabajo Social
Instructor: Carlos Valdebenito
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: The class material was not challenging but it was a lot of the assessments were a lot of writing
Credit Transfer Issues: I have not tried yet so im not sure