Learned how to travel on a budget Past Review
By A student (Latin American Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 02/27/2015 to 07/05/2015 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Santiago
Initially I thought that this would be a difficult experience because I was abroad on an extremely tight budget. However this is one of the best things that could have happened because it forced me to find different ways to become a part of the city. Going to museum, concerts, local parks, hiking, living with a spanish speaking roommate, and learning about Chile in my history class were ways that I was able to integrate so much information about Santiago and its magnificence.
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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I really liked the language immersion and the integration in class with local students. |
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) |
Because I chose to live with a Spanish speaking roommate instead of a host family, I had to pay for my own food expenses. This was very hard to do because rent was so high. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $35.00 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would say to not spend a lot of money at the beginning of the program to get a feel for the general price of things and eventually spend your money on things you actually want to do. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
I am a native Spanish speaker but since I only spoke spanish with my roommate, I found that my spanish improved tremendously. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| 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? | Spanish 241 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | I would recommend to hold yourself accountable and be committed to challenging yourself to speak spanish even with your friends from the program. Practicing in ordinary conversations is the best way to learn. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew that everyday counts and that making the most out of my experience means forcing myself to explore something new everyday. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
