VI-VA CHI-LE Past Review
By Christopher C (International Political Economy, Fordham University) - abroad from 02/24/2013 to 06/08/2013 with
SIT Study Abroad: Chile - Cultural Identity, Social Justice, and Community Development
Absolutely, if only for the Spanish language skills I acquired and the tools to conduct independent research.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Not the most demanding of coursework during the lecture part of the program, but the added intensity of all classes being in Spanish as well as the Independent Research Project merit the 4 stars. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everything went smoothly, and the administration was always there should we students have had any problems. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lived with a host family, and a lot of times it is just luck of the draw. Mine were simply ok, but there were other people on the program who adored their host parents. |
| * Food: |
A generous rating, at that. Chile is not the place for you should you be a foodie looking to try exotic new flavors and spices every day. Be ready for avocado and potatoes. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My Spanish, while not perfect, improved greatly while on this program due in no small part to the friendliness of Chileans and their eagerness to help out foreigners. Did not have a bad cultural experience, and after a month you feel as if you've lived there a year. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no health problems during my program. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe the entire time I was there, but I also go to school in the Bronx. Santiago, while relatively safe, is still a sprawling metropolitan city with several million people. Like any big city, crime happens, and a few of the students on my program were in fact robbed. If one keeps their wits and doesn't travel in unsafe places at 3 in the morning, chances are safety will not be an issue. |
| 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) |
Easy to live on just what the host family provided--overall spent very little money on necessities. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $20 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | When withdrawing cash from the ATM, take it out in large sums ($200-300) and let that last for several weeks. ATMs charge exorbitant rates for withdrawals from foreign accounts, so just keep that in mind. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Everything program related was in Spanish and I am better for it. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | 2500 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Just speak it everyday with your host family and classmates--it will come. |
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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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Absolutely nothing--studying abroad is an adventure, embrace it. To have expectations about an experience such as this is to limit yourself to those expectations. Have an open mind and take whatever the program throws at you is the best advice I could offer. |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
ISP |
| Course Department: | N/A |
| Instructor: | You |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | The most challenging and rewarding academic experience of my university career. A student has one month to form a research project, pitch it to the Academic Director and get it confirmed, then conduct all research and form a 30 page thesis paper IN SPANISH. It was challenging but rewarding knowing that I could proudly say I had accomplished something of this magnitude. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
