Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Great Chilean Experience Past Review

By (International Relations and Environmental Studies, Tufts University) for

Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in Chile

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I improved my language skills, got to know new people and travel around a new country, and now understand a different perspective. It didn't really changed by academic interests.

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.

In one of my classes both students and professors always showed up about a half hour late and we didn't do much other than look at the photographs we had taken (it was a photography class). The professors were also not very accessible to talk to. However, it was a good workload because then we could travel more and explore more of the country.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program was run very well, planning our trips, helping us with any problems we were having or travel issues, and providing us information about Chilean culture. Also, the program was a very nice size.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was treated very well by my host family and did not need to buy anything to settle-in.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The Thanksgiving dinner our program arranged was very sweet and made us feel at home. My favorite trip was to La Serena, where we saw the house of Gabriela Mistral and a star observatory.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

No safety-related incidents.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? We received more than enough money from the program to cover expenses.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? When visiting other countries you may have to use your own money.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 22.
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

We were able to meet with language partners (those practicing their English). Also, I talked with my host family and with students at a club I went to. Some people spoke English, but the majority of talking was in Spanish.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hostel
* 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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? A student who is studying Spanish, wants to improve their language skills, wants to travel around South America, and is not afraid of taking risks.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Spanish
Course Department: Taught at another University, Catolica, through the program.
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: This was useful and interesting course. Also, it was fun because almost all the Tufts study abroad students were in it.
Credit Transfer Issues: I received a Spanish credit for this course.
Course Name/Rating:

Fotografia: Una Manera de Explorar la Ciudad
Course Department: Arquitectura
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: This course was not very much work but fairly interesting. The professors were disorganized though.
Credit Transfer Issues: Yes, I received an art credit for this course.
Course Name/Rating:

Literatura Chilena Moderna
Course Department: Filosofia y Humanidades
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: It was a lot of reading and difficult (as I am not a literature student), but worthwhile in improving my reading comprehension in Spansih.
Credit Transfer Issues: Yes, I received a Spanish credit and culture credit for International Relations.