The best 4 months of my life!! Past Review

By (Villanova University) - abroad from 02/28/2012 to 06/11/2012 with

SIT Study Abroad: Chile - Public Health, Traditional Medicine, and Community Empowerment

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much I couldn't possibly write it all here, or even write it anywhere for that matter. Would recommend this program to anyone!!

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Universidad de Tarapaca
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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $10, if that.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Learn that you don't really need that much to live! Carry light, be simple, and you'll realize that you don't really need to spend much on anything.

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

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? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Advanced Spanish
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? Live with a family!!!! And try to avoid speaking English with other Americans in your group or other people you meet. Really challenge yourself!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Staying with host family
  • Spending time with the indigenous
* What could be improved?
  • The rigor of the Spanish classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Chilean spanish is tough!