Got my IDELT certification in Santiago and now I live here as an English Teacher Past Review
By Katy N (psychology, Boston University) for
BridgeAbroad: Santiago: TEFL Certification in Santiago
I am now certified to teach English in any other country. I consider these skills to be incredibly worthwhile, because I am able to travel to other countries with a marketable and in-demand skill.
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. |
The IDELT course gave a moderate amount of work, but any college student can handle it easily. The course was informative and interesting. I came in nervous that I would not be able to teach (I was not an ed major in college), but I felt super prepared after taking the course. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Bridge is very supportive. Their facilities are well-staffed, well-run, clean and AIR CONDITIONED. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I liked my host family, but due to their busy schedules they were not often around. I wish we had eaten meals together. |
| * Food: |
Food here is expensive! Coffee is instant coffee, and milk here is rehydrated. If you're used to fresh milk and drip brew coffee, it's a rough adjustment. Other than that, you can find everything you need. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved visiting Valparaiso and Vina del Mar, which are the harbor cities a short bus trip away. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Santiago is mostly safe. Robberies are frequent, but many of these are not violent (or at least they do not involve guns). It's just like any city - don't walk around at night by yourself in the bad parts of town. Valparaiso is much more dangerous - guard you belongings closely (thieves have even been known to cut the straps of over-the-shoulder bags with scissors), don't walk around alone at night in ANY part of town, and make sure you carry small amounts of cash/break up your credit cards so that if you do get robbed your losses are minimal. |
| 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? |
A week of free Spanish classes was included with the price of tuition. I had a few conversation classes with native speakers, but there was no curriculum or common theme. I will have to pay for extra classes. |
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? | Definitely do the certification course abroad vs. online or in your own country. The soft landing was super helpful - I had time to find housing, make friends, and make my experience much more enjoyable. Come down, see if you like Santiago, and then move around if you don't! |
