An awaking of existing knowledge Past Review

By (Seattle University) - abroad from 09/15/2016 to 12/08/2016 with

Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about the ecosystem and myself.

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.

Having known virtually nothing about the Patagonia region before I arrived I can confidently go back there

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

As a member of team guanaco I barely even had the opportunities to interact with Fernando Iglesias. Although Mateo was great, charismatic, knowledgeable, and we spend significant time with him.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I personally loved living in my tent for three months. Plus the fact that the fieldhouse in Cochrane had a kitchen, multiple bathrooms, and warm-enough showers.

* Food:

Limited options because of location, but I like simplicity.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We studied it and lived it. But did spend most of the time sleeping and eating amongst the rest of the RR students.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Pretty good considering location.

* Safety:

We were safe enough most of the time considering the location.

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

Lots of reasons

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)

good?

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Depended on the week. Sometimes $0 because we were in the field. Sometime $20 per week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? That's sorta built into the program. In the field for days or weeks at a time so can't spend money even if you wanted to. And when in town there's not usually to lot.

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

I speak Spanish comfortable so it worked out.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
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? Spanish III at Seattle University
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Conserve with the people there in their native tongue.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Host Family
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Peers
  • Location
  • Tent
* What could be improved?
  • Emphasis on academics
  • More food
  • More time off?
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How short and cumulative it would feel when I got back to Seattle for university.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.