Chilena Siempre Past Review
By Bridget D (International/Global Studies., Fordham University) - abroad from 06/15/2012 to 12/11/2012 with
Syracuse University: Santiago - Syracuse University in Santiago
I gained an entirely differnt worldview and learned incredible things both about Chile, South America in general, as well as my own country´s role in the affairs of the region. I also found certain career interests that I had not been made aware of which I am now pursuing. Most of all, I loved all the people I met and the places I got to travel to.
Review Photos
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. |
I felt challenged and the material I learned was invaluable. It was the most interesting semster of my college career. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I´m glad I did the homestay, although I didn´t get along particularly with my family. I think it was an important experience and I learned a lot about myself and others because of it. |
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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? |
I didn´t need health care, but my program administration was understanding the one time I got the flu. |
| * Safety: |
Petty theft is very common, but you also have to take caution with taxis. Though nothing ever happened to me, I´ve heard many horror stories about illegitimate taxis robbing foreigners, even chileans. |
| 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 |
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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 |
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| 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? | Advanced |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Meeting local friends is the best way. Also, staying with a family forces you to speak the language, which is a good thing! |
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? | I wish I had known to do a year instead of a semester. Just when you start to feel like you´ve finally become a part of the culture, you leave. I think a second semester in the same place would provide an incredibly enriching experience. |
