Will I like studying abroad or not? (I'm still not sure...) Past Review
By A student (St. Norbert College) - abroad from 02/20/2017 to 07/19/2017 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Valdivia
I learned that travel is absolutely worthwhile, but I am better travelling short-term. I learned which things in America should be appreciated
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I struggled with classes, had trouble contacting professors, and was disappointed with the fact that nobody lived on campus. The internship was worthwhile though |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program director and all the staff were excellent and the excursion in March was amazing |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was a nice place but not really a "host family," it felt more like a hostal |
| * Food: |
We had some interesting and delicious meals but lots of the dinners were very small and bare-bones. That might be more because of the different attitude toward food in Chilean culture, rather than the hosts themselves. Also related to this was the lack of any snacks or things to eat between meals |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I got along very well with the "cultural mentor" but otherwise couldn't make any friends |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No real issues |
| * Safety: |
I was bitten by a dog and chased by a few other dogs, but otherwise felt safe |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
Chile was amazing but I hated the university. I would have still gone abroad but probably chose a different city and possibly a different country |
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) |
I paid St Norbert the usual room and food payments for the semester and they paid my hosts. Very easy! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ? |
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 |
We were only allowed to use Spanish |
| 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? | Spanish 302 (20th century spanish lit) |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
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? | Spanish ain't easy |
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! |
