Chile! Past Review
By Sarah M (English-Literature/Spanish, Western Washington University) for
API (Academic Programs International): Valparaíso, Chile - Pontifícia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso
SOooooooooo worth it!
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I only gave them low reviews because the public universities were on strike and I only went to the actual university for two weeks. The rest of the time all the gringos were taught in an old highschool. Overall my professors were really nice, but resources were limited because of the strike. Some of the staff [never the teachers] were extremely unhelpful and I felt like they didn't want to help the exchange students because of the strike. But I loved Chile and had an awesome experience, the strike was just part of it! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
API gave us an awesome host country director. She made us feel at home in her home and her country. She helped us with anything we couldn't solve ourselves. If every country has an API director like ours, API has a great program. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Apparently many host families hid the cereal, but I didn't have the problem. My host family was great! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
OUr program director made us once, every week. We could reflect and relax together. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I'd say basic safety measures for any big city. Don't walk alone at night. There is lots of theft, but just use common sense. Don't leave things left unattended, even if it is next to you and you fall asleep, it will get stolen. People are usually helpful. Overall I felt comfortable in Chile. |
| 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? |
Most of the foreign exhcnage students speak english, many people want to practice their english so it can be hard to speak the other language. Force yourself to speak the foriegn language even if others are speaking english to you. Good ways to speak the countries language is going out, accepting invites, wandering the country by yourself, your host family, and many people had relationships with people of the country. It's up to you! Be brave. |
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 did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Before leaving the US, think about what you want to do, see, experience while abroad. Then do it! Bring a lock/research visas and vaccinations for traveling in hostels/out of country. Remember, this is everyone elses first time traveling abroad too! Spend time alone safely exploring the city, meet locals, anything! Be adventurous! |
