Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I am way more of an adult now than I was when I left Past Review

By (Economics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 07/29/2015 to 12/15/2015 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Santiago

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot of adult things, like dealing with banks and pharmacies and government registration agencies. My Spanish improved notably. I was also able to do an internship while abroad which was one of the largest contributors to my learning and enjoyment of the program.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Academics at la Catolica were much more rigorous than I was expecting. I enrolled in mostly 200-level courses. The economics department especially could have given more support to international students. The registration system for international students is a nightmare and extremely inefficient. Also, I didn't feel like there was much guidance, either from my program or the university, to help us choose the classes that would be best for us. As a whole, I feel like I gained a lot, both personally and academically, from the educational experience.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was housed with a 28-year old couple. While this was a fun situation on the weekends, it made week days quite lonely. I often ate dinners alone. It was not really a "family" situation.

* Food:

Chilean food in general isn't my favorite. Also, the system of my host family making one dish that would then last for the next 3 days caused the food to be even more boring and monotonous.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The private healthcare system in Chile is great. I received a hight level of care. However, when I was sick and needed to go to Urgent Care, it was lucky that someone from my program was available (and had transportation) to accompany me. If she had not been able to borrow her dad's car for the evening, I would have been forced to take a taxi to the clinic alone because my family was busy and doesn't have a car.

* Safety:

Santiago is a fairly safe city, but, as with all cities, you have to be aware of muggings and try to keep yourself out of any potentially dangerous or compromising situations.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I appreciate the language component of Middlebury. I wish the program had organized more trips.

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)

Rent was paid directly to the family by the student on a monthly basis. My rent included meals and was about $530.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $70

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 200-level Spanish literature courses
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Santiago - the city in general
  • Internship with Mujeres Empresarias
  • Experience of living/studying abroad
* What could be improved?
  • The program class
  • Increase the number of trips taken with the program
  • Host family placement
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? none

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.