Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Those who live see, those who travel see more Past Review

By (Point Loma Nazarene University) - abroad from 02/22/2012 to 07/10/2012 with

ISA Study Abroad in Valparaíso/Viña del Mar, Chile

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained an open mind, patience, developed maturity, independence, responsibility, as well as personal develpoment.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Needs more course options for foreign students through ISA

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Extremely kind and helpful, they are wonderful and try to make things easier for you in every possible way.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

With an open mind and willingness to socialize with the local people, integration is easily feasible.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Overall, your safety depends on being aware of your surroundings and prudent about how you act in public. Chile is like everywhere else in the world, you have the sketchy places and people, and then you have the nicer, safer areas of town. Simply be smart about your environment.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Depending on a persons spending habits, it is very easy to stay on a budget in Chile.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $20USD
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't splurge too often but absolutely allow yourself a few times a month to go eat out and get to know the hot spots around town. Balance yourself out and all will be fine.

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? Advanced
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? A.P. Spanish Language
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? DON'T SPEND ALL YOUR TIME WITH OTHER FOREIGNERS. That is the biggest mistake most foreigners make. The only way to integrate yourself into the Chilean culture is by immersing yourself within the people and environment as much as you can. Most people are understanding enough to have the patience to let you practice your intermediate spanish skills. In fact, they love foreigners who try to socialize with them! You can't be embarassed, you have to try and make mistakes, it's the only way to improve.

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Helpful
  • Easy
  • Experienced
* What could be improved?
  • Price
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? A summary of where the program costs goes, what the individual cost was for everything.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

International Business
Course Department: Business
Instructor: Daniel Fellhandler
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This professor is very knowledgeable and very experienced in this area, gave lessons based on experience and book knowledge. Three presentations made throughout the semester on three different but relevant topics.No field trips were made.
Credit Transfer Issues: Easy transfer.
Course Name/Rating:

Marketing Trends and Strategies in Latin America
Course Department: Business
Instructor: Daniel Fellhandler
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was not very challenging as far as course work, however the material taugh was useful and helped tie fundamental marketing conepts with the Latin American culture. The professor is very knowledgable on the material due to his first-hand experience in the Latin American marketing field. One relevant field trip was made to the local shopping center and two presentations on marketing in Latina America.
Credit Transfer Issues: