not-Chile is for weones Past Review
By Kirsty P (Hispanic/Global Studies, Pacific Lutheran University) for
SIT Study Abroad: Chile - Cultural Identity, Social Justice, and Community Development
I'm going to live in Valpo.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
One director in the north program kind of sucked, we had an inside joke about her, but everyone else was amazing. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
You never need to buy your own food. Your family feeds you well and the program feeds you exceptionally well when you're not with your family. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The touristy bars and clubs are good, but once you break off from that and explore the places where the good people of Valpo go, then you really learn to appreciate and fall in love with the bohemian, sailor spirit of the city. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I was placed in the highest class, so they didn't give me much to learn. I practiced with Chileans, and my host family. The directors never once spoke english with us. Some people in Chile speak english but they understand that you want to practice spanish. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | It is an excellent program. Explore the city as much as you can. Explore, explore, explore. Go to any concert you see posters of on the streets, go to the art museums, go to the cultural events. Do it all and pet the dogs when they're lonely. |
