Wonderful but be really ready for the CHALLENGE of your life. Past Review
By Courtney d (Environmental Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 07/20/2015 to 12/12/2015 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Valparaiso
SUPER WORTHWHILE. I learned so much about myself, the wonders of travelling and the beauty of exploring new places and cultures. I really pushed myself out of my comfort zone and grew a lot. Although i left early my experience in Chile was wonderful and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity. And the decision to leave was in fact a huge moment of growth
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. |
Academically very rigorous. Classes were of really strong quality. Professors and other students were helpful and program directors where very keen to help us out if we were struggling and get tutors. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The directors were very helpful and and kind. Really wanted to make everything the best experience possible for each student. helpful with both personal, academic and social problems. Their understanding and willingness to bend over backwards for us was astounding. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was very kind, great food. Lived right down town Valpo which was super convenient but also very very loud at almost all times. Because heating isn't wide spread in Chile and the windows were so thin in my space it was also very very cold. Living in a host family can be wonderful for learning about the culture and feeling like you belong and are welcome but it can also be particularly challenging after living alone in dorms for so long. Chilean families are very involved in each others lives took a lot to get used to. |
| * Food: |
Chilean food as a whole is not known for being overly tasty or healthy, heads up. I was lucky enough to have a host mom who was a very good cook (i know others had problems with this) and provided healthy and tasty food. But don't be expecting the stereotypical 'latin American spice and flavor' even in restaurants etc. Lots of bread, meat, and cheeses. Lots of bread!!! be prepared to gain some pounds. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Key aspects that helped with this: living in a host family right downtown in the heart of it all, taking classes in the small geography department at the local university, being the only exchange student in my classes, making friends the Middlebury arranged cultural mentors, volunteering as a language partner with students from a local university. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was experiencing some mental health challenges while abroad and the directors responded quickly and connected me with an amazing Chilean American counselor who quite honestly changed my life. I also got flees multiple times while abroad and the directors and my host family were quick to suggest remedies and solutions. |
| * Safety: |
I very rarely felt unsafe while abroad in Valparaiso. You do have to be more aware of your things, your surroundings, and yourself but if you are aware and observant things are totally fine. I had a few friends get phones and such stolen and many 'more gringa' looking students got catcalled a lot near the market areas but never in an aggressive or threatening manner. Chilean pick pocketers are not typically violent but very quiet and sneaky. They prefer not to be seen so keep an eye on your things. The police force is also strong, protective, kind and corrupt. I always felt safe when they were around and in toursity areas in Santiago they would look out for us tourists. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
In hind sight it was not what I was looking for or needed academically, emotionally or mentally. I would have been better suited in an area with a less complicated accent, and with a focus on the environmental causes I am passionate about. I would have also really enjoyed a lighter course load to allow myself time to really soak in the experience travel a bit more and enjoy the city I chose to live. Also somewhere warmer would be great. I lived right on the ocean but only got to surf, and swim once (in a wet suit) because it was so cold in Chile! |
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) |
Very easily. Going out to restaurants and spending lots of money on movies, shopping etc really wasn't a huge thing with the students I met and hung out with in Valparaiso. And having 3 meals prepped for me at home made it easy to not spend lots of money. Travelling was the biggest cost for me. Budget accordingly for the awesome trips you want to take. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | under $30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Figure out where and when you want to travel and put those costs into your budget first. Then budget the rest of your money to use on going out, shopping and food accordingly. Also figure out which ATMs have the lowest fees from your bank account. some don't even have fees so look into that. Every $ counts. |
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 |
Language pledge was real. From seconds landing in Chile the directors used spanish and only spanish with us. Our host familes knew nearly zero english and our classes were exclusively in Spanish with Chilean students and professors. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | SPAN 273 Cultures of latin America or something like that. My first non language acquisition focused class |
| 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? | Study before you go. Don't take the summer off from speaking the language before you go. Take a class or get a tutor or study for multiple hours a week on your own. It will really pay off. Also bring your favorite Spanish textbook with you. It will be nice to have a familiar refresher when language gets tough. |
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? | The classes would be super hard and there is a lot of work towards the end. Immersing yourself in a new culture and new language is not always sun shine and rainbows. |
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! |
