Study Abroad in Chile: An Incredible Opportunity to Grow, Learn, and Travel Past Review
By Gabriel K (International Business, University of Denver) for
IFSA: Valparaiso - Chilean Universities Program, Valparaiso
Learned a new language, history, and culture. I also came back with new friends, some American, some Chilean and even a girlfriend! Study abroad in Chile was a fantastic opportunity and I can't wait to travel more!
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. |
Workload was appropriate, grading was fair, teaching methods were useful. The only major difference between the educational systems was that there were very few general university requirements over there, you essentially started you major from day 1. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The IFSA-Chile Program staff was OUTSTANDING. They responded to our every need. There is nothing more that I can say besides they were GREAT and a huge reason for this program's success. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was fantastic. They accommodated my every need and made it very easy for me to make the transition to Chilean life. |
| * Food: |
The food in Chile isn't the most exciting but I certainly never went hungry! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My fondest memories were just talking to Chileans and learning about their way of life and view on the world. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
As with any city, there were places that you didn't want to go alone, especially at night. In my case, I never experienced any problems with safety and felt comfortable the whole time. As far as health issues, again I never had an issues but I know that quality care and service was available to students at a low cost. |
| 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 could practice language at home, at school, with friends and on the street. Yes, the host country language was necessary in everyday interactions. Most people did speak at least some English but Spanish was definitely the way to go. |
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? | Go to Chile and when you do, take it all in! |
