Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Chile: An exhausting, thrilling semester in Spanish Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 07/21/2018 to 12/15/2018 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Santiago

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Solidified my control over Spanish, became more independent, saw some really cool places

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We were very busy with the activities of the program, and thus had little opportunities to pursue personal social activities.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Nothing happened, as long as you were aware of what you were doing. Dont walk alone or really at all after 11pm in the central city, but nothing really came up throughout the semester.

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

I thought the human rights program was very interesting and engaging. If i had to do it ove again, I would, but if I could go back, I would do a different program

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)

If you want, everything is provided through your host family.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? hard to calculate: lump sum was paid to host family
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat with your host family and don'y be afraid to ask them to get the food YOU like, be it snacks or main meals

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? Advanced
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? 300-level at Middlebury; semester abroad in Spain
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Try to interact with Chileans, develop a relationship with your host family

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* 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?
  • Host family
  • human-rights focus
  • trip at the end
* What could be improved?
  • less hovering by the program
  • less commitments to the program
  • A more structured grammar class
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The Chilean Spanish is VERY hard and different

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 Linguist
You 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:

Pensamiento Latinoamericano
Course Department: Anthropology
Instructor: Matias Marambio
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Interesting overview course on Latin American Thought taught by an engaging professor. It dealt with a lot of different ideas and concepts, so it could be confusing and difficult at times. The majority of the students didn't show up to class nor did they do the readings, so the professor had a hard time navigating teaching a class to students who didn't seem particularly interested in learning,
Credit Transfer Issues: None
Course Name/Rating:

Historia Social y Politica de Chile
Course Department: Sociology
Instructor: Camila Silvas
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Interesting class on the history of Chile, but it was plagued with disorder and confusion regarding the coordination of the TA hours and tests. The professor was very nice and intelligent and understanding, but the class could be very frustrating at times. Very accommodating of foreign students.
Credit Transfer Issues: None