Chile: A Friendly Culture! Past Review

By (Mba, Marymount University) for

Marymount University: Santiago - Doing Business in Chile

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The country is welcoming of foreigners and business opportunities. I would certainly consider doing business in Chile!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The scheduled program included great lecture presentations from a variety of businesses. I would simply recommend perhaps combining some lectures or making one or two more of these lectures optional to attend so that students also have an extra morning or afternoon to work on finalizing their projects. The program only allowed for one afternoon to prepare for our presentations and because the lectures were mandatory that meant we had to work on our projects in the evenings. While, I was prepared for this, it would have been nice to have had some extra time in the day to also work on the projects as well.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The host was nice and attentive to individual and group needs. I appreciated his knowledge of the culture, country, and of Santiago! The scheduled program included great lecture presentations from a variety of businesses. I would simply recommend perhaps combining some lectures or making one or two more of these lectures optional to attend so that students also have an extra morning or afternoon to work on finalizing their projects. The program only allowed for one afternoon to prepare for our presentations and because the lectures were mandatory that meant we had to work on our projects in the evenings. While, I was prepared for this, it would have been nice to have had some extra time in the day to also work on the projects as well.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

The host suggested a great variety of good local restaurant recommendations located both near and far from the hotel! You have to try the Wine & Pisco! Seafood was good, I would recommend having a meal at the Mercado Central(fish market).

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Starting of the program with the Santiago cultural city game was a great way to introduce the students to the city especially after such a long flight. If possible, it would be a good idea to include an audio recording with historical background information for some of the site locations we visited since we didn't have an actual tour guide with us. The visit to the Cascada de Las Animas the following day was also a very nice and relaxing event that allowed us to enjoy the weekend as we prepared for the week's course program lecture events. Ending the program with the evening bike tour on Friday was great and fun! It was also nice that this was optional since some students had to depart, but also for others that preferred to have a Friday night out in the city!

* 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)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Take the time to meet locals and experience the culture! If you have the time, visit other cities in the country! Also, try to have your research and group project material completed as much as possible before arriving abroad. The week course is very quick and you don't want to spend every evening working on your project.