C Past Review
By Sarah S (Accounting, Wake Forest University) for
ISA Study Abroad in Valparaíso/Viña del Mar, Chile
Chile was a great experience for me. I went over there not knowing a single other person and it was a truly rewarding experience. I only wish I could have stayed for longer than 6 weeks!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
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 ISA house and staff were great. They were really helpful with orientating everyone and for helping students plan personal trips while in Chile. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was one of the best aspects of my study abroad experience. They were very welcoming and took me on a lot of fun excursions around the city. The only aspect I did not like was that there was another American student living with my host family. I know that this could have been great, but unfortunately the two of us were not very similar and so I had a better time when she was not around. Our house was the only one on the program that had two American students in it, though. |
| * Food: |
I ate almost all of my meals at home with the family, and if I could not be home my host family packed me food to take with me. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Skiing in the Andes was an incredible experience. It was also really fun being there while the World Cup for soccer was going on since Chile qualified. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Thankfully I did not have any issues which required me to test the city's healthcare. I always felt safe walking around the city at night. I don't believe there were any vaccines required for the program but I got Hepatitis A and Typhoid, just to be safe. The only issue that some people experienced were fleas, because of all the stray dogs around the city, but this was not a huge problem besides the itching. I believe that people just had to get a cream to put on it. |
| 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 |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
With the host family, in class, and with locals |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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 great for someone who wants to try something that they probably wouldn't otherwise get the chance to do. Everyone goes to Europe - But in South America you will get to practice your Spanish more. Chile has everything you could want: Beach, Mountains, Dessert, and Glaciers. The culture is inviting and there are a lot of fun activities and excursions offered! |
