A great time to learn language and experience a new culture Past Review
By Alice Roberts (Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/22/2017 to 07/15/2017 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Santiago
It was absolutely worthwhile. My Spanish improved so much and I really became a part of the culture. The program certainly tested me emotionally and mentally but I had the resources from my program to support me.
Review Photos
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 |
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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: |
I had my backpack stolen at the beginning of the semester in a pretty tricky scheme. Have to be watchful of personal items |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would go through Middlebury again because having the language pledge really forced me to learn Spanish and take it seriously. They were very prepared helped us adjust to classes and created a community like a family for us when we were brand new. I would have chosen a different host university because I think I would have been happier at a smaller school |
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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50-100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | eat meals with your host family when it's available! Good food and not expensive! |
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 was taking the Middlebury language pledge for the semester so it was very encouraged |
| 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? | 350 |
| 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? | Make friends abroad that are natives. They also always appreciate you trying to speak Spanish and are happy to help you learn |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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 that I had gone in knowing more about the school systems before I got here to have a better idea of what to expect educationally |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Psicología Jurídica |
| Course Department: | Psicología |
| Instructor: | María Salinas et. al. |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | The class was incredibly interesting but not accomadsting of individual student needs. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | I have not yet tried to transfer the credit |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Psicología educacional |
| Course Department: | Psicología |
| Instructor: | Jesus Redondo et al. |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | It was challenging as all my classes were but very interesting and the teachers were attentive |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Historia Social de Chile |
| Course Department: | Psicología |
| Instructor: | Pablo Artaza |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Very interesting but again not super accomadating of individual student needs |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No |
