An exciting and unforgettable semester Past Review

By A student (University of Applied Sciences and Arts Dortmund) - abroad from 08/01/2012 to 12/14/2012 with

UCSC Chile: Concepcion - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I spend an exciting semester in Concepción and I don' t want to miss it. Awesome people became friends so fast, I experienced a new culture and were overtaken by the commitment of the professors. To sum up, I learned a lot in university as well as for my personal deployment.

Review Photos

UCSC Chile: Concepcion - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

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.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I arranged the housing by myself, but the other exchange students were almost always very satisfied with their 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?	The University doctor treats little issues fast and competent...but further, I have no experience to this topic.
* Safety:	As in every city, there are places that you should avoid at night. Apart from that, I felt very safe in Concepción and had no fear to walk perfectly normal through the city.
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)	In comparison to Germany buying food in the supermarket is more expensive, anyway many things are cheaper. On the whole, I had no smaller expenditure than in Germany. I rate the ability to life on a student`s budget as 3.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Fruits and vegetables are much cheaper at farmer's markets than in the supermarket.

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?	Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	Spanish C1
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university?	Direct Enrollment

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	Local Students
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?	Commitment of the International Office Excursions with the exchange students Interesting courses
* What could be improved?	Contact with the specific faculty
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Now I know that it is possible to modify the student visa in Chile to make an internship directly after the study program.

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 Academic or Linguist You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!