Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Chile & Pinochet's Dictatorship: The remains of protest, death, and renewal Past Review

By (Communication, Berea College) - abroad from 05/28/2013 to 06/26/2013 with

KIIS: Traveling - Experience China (Summer)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It changed my life. Despite the struggles in receiving my grant in time, I have lessons that only time in my lovely Chile could have given me.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We lived without heat in southern Chile in the winter; we were freezing half the time and it was difficult. It was definitely an experience!

* Food:

* 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

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? $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save leading up to your application period. Do not wait until you have been accepted to start saving. The more funding you have, the more freedom you will have and less stress, too!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Other
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?
  • my professors
  • the freedom
  • the locals I befriended
* What could be improved?
  • heat!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew better how to travel: the airports and procedures and other management made my time more stressful than it should have been. Researching that would be key for another inexperienced international traveler!

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.'