Best Semester, Santiago 2015 Past Review

By (Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Johns Hopkins University) - abroad from 07/26/2015 to 11/29/2015 with

IES Abroad: Santiago - Study in Santiago

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned all about Chile and Chilean culture. I have found a second home in Chile.

Review Photos

IES Abroad: Santiago - Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Photo IES Abroad: Santiago - Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Photo IES Abroad: Santiago - Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Photo

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

The staff were there for you every step of the way. Studying abroad can be emotionally tough at first, but the IES staff members were amazing and helped me so much.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my host family!

* Food:

The chilean diet is pretty heavy in carbs which I was not used to.

* 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

The classes, the staff and the students were all amazing.

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? ~$30

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? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 300 level spanish
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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

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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • clinical observations
  • professors
  • staff
* What could be improved?
  • Challenge of courses
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The week when you choose classes is a little stressful. I wish I had spent the effort to try to make taking a class at the local university fit in my schedule.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'