Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Sí po! An amazing experience in Chile! Past Review

By (The College of Wooster) - abroad from 08/29/2017 to 12/11/2017 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This experience was definitely worthwhile. I learned a lot about myself and gained confidence in my speaking abilities in a foreign language as well as how to navigate in a completely new place. I have such an appreciation for traditional medicine and cultural practices that have existed for centuries that is still so prevalent today.

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.

* 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

I think this program is really unique in that it allows a group of foreign students to really immerse themselves in the traditional culture of people who have been living in this county for centuries and have such a unique history, one that differs from what we may have learned in the mainstream media.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Approximately $10.00 (on the average week)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? It would be wise to budget out a set amount for the entire abroad experience and keep track of your weekly expenses. If you are planning to travel outside of your designated program, it is also helpful to factor that into your overall budget.

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? Advanced
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? 300 level Spanish courses
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? Practice, practice, practice. Watching Spanish telenovelas also helps a lot!

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?
  • The experience of living with a host family and getting to take part in family activities.
  • Being part of a small program group that allowed us to get closer and make great friends.
  • Having a month dedicated to a research project or internship of our choice.
* What could be improved?
  • Inter-program communication between administrators and faculty.
  • More time dedicated to guiding us on the path to choosing our research project/internship.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Even though time is going to fly by, you may still get homesick. It is also important to note that as a black woman in Chile, my experience was probably fairly different from my peers' experiences.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'