Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

My Best Decision in College Past Review

By (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 03/02/2016 to 06/30/2016 with

Pontifical Catholic University of Chile: Santiago - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
100% worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 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?

Absolutely love my host family. I'm going to miss them so much!

* Food:

Chilean food is good but can be kind of bland on the day to day.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I feel very integrated. I joined a volleyball team and met tons of Chileans, and my host family makes a big effort to include me in everyday life.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I haven't had any issues.

* Safety:

I haven't felt unsafe to date, but I've had friends who occasionally ended up in less than ideal situations. Keys to safety include being hyperaware of your surroundings at all times and avoiding problem areas, especially during worker or student protests.

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

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)

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? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • People
  • City
* What could be improved?
  • Efficiency at local university
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How much money I was going to spend traveling on weekends.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'