(Delightful) Chaos and Poetry with a Breathtaking View Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 07/21/2018 to 12/07/2018 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Valparaiso
In addition to the obvious improvement in language skills, taking classes at the local university gave me the opportunity to meet many wonderful, creative people who encouraged and inspired me.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I took mostly poetry classes, as well as a few introductory education courses, all of which were very small and laid-back (I HIGHLY recommend el Instituto de Arte at PUCV). Students who took classes in other departments (ex: history, biology) had larger classes and a harder time in terms of academics, but the program offers tutoring and you have the option to do independent studies as well. |
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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? |
As a chronically ill student, I was pretty nervous about accessing health care abroad, but the on-site program director helped me through every step of scheduling an appointment, getting a blood test done, getting my medication, and figuring out insurance. He even offered to come with me to the appointment. |
| * Safety: |
I never experienced any "safety-related incidents" in Valparaíso, but I was frequently warned by people from the city not to take the bus after dark or go out alone after dark, and to be very careful with my belongings. Most of my stay I felt very safe, but I also felt the need to be much more cautious than I do on campus or walking around Boston, especially as a young woman. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Valparaíso is a beautiful, chaotic, literary, and magical city. Being there was such a privilege. The Middlebury staff did everything in their power to support us and assure that our experience was as positive as possible. |
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? | $25 |
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 |
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| 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? | A 300-level literature seminar |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
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 I knew how much support I would have from the on-site staff, it would have made me feel more secure going into the program. Middlebury Schools Abroad prides themselves on their independent, pro-active students, but if you need help you will be able to find it. |
