I learned so much about myself, about America, about the world, and everything. Great experience! Past Review
By Danika W (Business Administration (Accounting), Trinity University) for
ISA Study Abroad in Valparaíso/Viña del Mar, Chile
I learned a lot about another culture and I learned a lot about myself.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was very well organized and the staff really cared about us and were willing to help us with everything. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in Chorrillos in Vina del Mar. My family was the best. <br /><br /> Being with a host family really forces you to speak the language and really helps improve your language skills. And the families are awesome and you get to really experience their life and culture. It's the only way to do study abroad. |
| * Food: |
My mom loved to cook and cooked some great food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The excursions were fun and well planned. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I didn't need any vaccines specifically for this program and I didn't have any health issues abroad. I felt safe living there. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent about 50-100 each week. Depending on how many snacks or food i bought outside of my home, and depending on the extra-curricular activities I chose to participate in. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I spent more money when I went traveling to other parts of the country and to other countries. I wasn't planning on this before hand and the cost adds up. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
The classes were with only American students and that hindered my ability to learn th language a little. It was nice to be with other American students who were kind of in the same position as me, and it would've been harder if they were only Chilean students in my classes, but it would have helped me with the language a lot more. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would tell them to just enjoy their time abroad and make the most of the experience. |
