I left my heart in South America Past Review
By Sheng Y (Anthropology/Spanish, Hamline University) for
Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso: Valparaiso - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was the best thing I did for myself.
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. |
The grading system was on a scale of 1-7, 7 being the best. The professors go there to teach and are not as attentive to their students like how they are here at Hamline, which is understandable because it is up to the students if they truly want to excel. I really liked the education I received in Valparaíso. I thought school work would be easy but it required just as much time commitment as my schoolwork here. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program did not have any weaknesses. They made sure their exchange students were comfortable and were VERY approachable and helpful - more than the program here. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
I mostly ate pasta because it was the easiest thing to make! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
As I stated above, the program there in Chile would email us about events in the area. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Chile. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Each week, I would say about $500 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | None. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish for the Professional 5910 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I was involved in the Language Exchange program and yes I used the language every minute of every day. I barely spoke English unless it was with my friends from the USA |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Someone who loves Spanish and latin culture would love Chile. |
Individual Course Reviews
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History of Valparaíso |
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