Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Fabulous study abroad in Chile introduces new language and culture Past Review

By (Economics and Community Health, Tufts University) for

Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in Chile

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I loved this experience. It was great to try out a new culture and get a lot more comfortable with another language. The program through Tufts was great because they were really interested in helping us figure everything out without babying us. The resident director is great, as is the Tufts faculty advisor.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The system/approach to academics is very different, and I think generally not as seriously? But that might've just been the courses I took. Teaching methods about the same.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

n/a

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Hard if you're a vegetarian.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

September 18 is their 4th of July. It was great.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I lived in Las Condes which is very safe. Sometimes I did feel uncomfortable downtown or around the city, and I did get robbed at one point but you just need to be careful, watch your stuff, and stick with people. Healthcare is easily accessible.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? n/a

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? A spanish literature class.
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

I practiced Spanish with my host family, at school, the friend's I'd made, when I went to any type of store, restaurant. People would sometimes talk back to me in English because they wanted to practice, but if you try, you can almost always talk to people in Spanish. I was on the program with other Tufts students which was great, but also meant that I spoke in english with them, and I hung out with them a good amount.

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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The help from the resident director
  • The cultural and school supplies stipend.
* What could be improved?
  • Packing list beforehand
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Any type of student would benefit. It is very convenient if you are a Tufts student-you know some of the other people abroad with you, and the credits transfer over very easily.