Santiago, Chile Past Review
By Alison F (Spanish / Screen Studies, Clark University) for
CIEE: Santiago - Liberal Arts
Yes! I loved my study abroad experience - it was challenging, but empowering.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | University of Chile, Universidad Catolica |
| 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. |
Chile takes its University programs very seriously - this is not a study abroad program where you will have a break from school - I ultimately did more work in Chile than in the States. But the work is rewarding and challenging - in other words, its worth it. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
CIEE is very organized, most of the Santiago staff is very nice and everyone always wants to help. The head while I was there wanted to help, but had a very stern Chilean attitude which was hard for a lot of people in our group. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Um, Chilean food is not the best. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Chile is a great country to explore, its rich in culture and usually not a top pic for travelers and foreigners which makes it a great place to immerse yourself. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I went during the swine flu epidemic - and Chile got hit pretty badly. Have the administration and your host family help you out with the Chilean hospital system - it gets a little tricky. |
| 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? |
I needed to take a language course for my own requirements, but I did place out of the course. It was actually nice to take a class with the rest of the study abroad crew. |
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? | Chile is an amazing place to study abroad - its definitely a truly unique and rewarding study abroad experience. |
