I wish I didn't have to leave Chapod, Chile. Past Review
By Emily N (Spanish, International Studies, Hope College) for
SIT Study Abroad: Chile - Comparative Education and Social Change
Yes, it was worthwhile. I learned a lot about the history of the country and the social changes there.
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 Spanish classes were taken at Universidad Alberto Hurtado with just the American students. The other two classes were lecture-style, complemented by educational excursions to schools and museums. The workload varied depending on the day but it was altogether challenging, but not overwhelming. The grading system was very fair. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Wonderful staff, informative and interesting classes, powerful cultural and educational excursions. The ISP was the best part--I was able to choose and carry out a project and I had time to be a part of my host-family. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
In each of my three families (in Santiago, Chapod, and Buenos Aires) I was treated as a member of the family. |
| * Food: |
It was fine. |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt safe. If you don't do anything stupid, you'll be fine. |
| 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? | I rarely went out to eat--I ate with my families. I spent money on gifts for people back in the States. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Have coins for buses in case they don't all take transportation cards. If you go out late, pay for a trusted cab service (RadioTaxi). |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 322 Adv. Grammar and Comp. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Nobody spoke English except for the American students and one woman who helped explain certain things during orientation weekend. We practiced Spanish in class and at home with our homestay families. In my case, my host-sister was fluent in English and teaches it in a public school, but the families are told to only speak Spanish with the students. |
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 did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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