Santiago: A lot like the States unless you make it otherwise. Past Review
By Wiley J (Latin American Studies., The University of Texas at Austin) for
Pontifical Catholic University of Chile: Santiago - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It made me aware that I was looking for something in Chile that had very little to do with its reality, more to do with my stereotype of an unknown country.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
No program. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Had a wonderful relationship with my host family, very loving. Poor location in relation to metro so it took at least 45 minutes to get anywhere. decent proximity to night life, though not great as the buses would shut down after midnight. located on Pedro de Valdivia with Sucre. Beautiful neighborhood, parts are historic. I didn't have to buy anything to settle in. They fed me and gave me linens etc. |
| * Food: |
the only thing would be that they made me eat too much! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
NA |
| * Safety: |
I would say it was very safe. Santiago has to be the safest capital in Latin America. I know a few people who were mugged, but nothing too serious and I never had a problem. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | no, no forced expenditures. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Making foreign friends can make it harder to make real chilean friends. |
