An Unforgettable Experience Past Review
By Ellie B (TESOL/Spanish Teaching, University of Northern Iowa) - abroad from 05/27/2014 to 07/28/2014 with
University of Northern Iowa: Arica - Culture and Intensive Spanish Program (CISP)
I gained confidence in speaking, which I never could have gotten in the states. It was definitely worthwhile to experience Latin America and the different culture. I had visited Spain, but this was completely different.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Good program, pretty easy courses, slightly incompetent professors |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Great assistants overall, coordinator is a little cynical and harsh towards assistants |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Loved the host family! |
| * Food: |
Not too weird of food, host mom was a great cook. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was really involved with my family and conversation partner, felt very integrated with culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Never used healthcare in Chile, heard it was terrible from others |
| * Safety: |
Safe city, just don't be stupid |
| 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) |
Just depends how many souvenirs you want, plus other experiences (horseback riding and wine tour in Argentina, surfing in Arica) |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 1000 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | No. I'm terrible at saving/spending money. |
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 |
always, but everyone spoke English when you were with the other gringos |
| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced Writing or Spanish Linguistics |
| 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? | study different vocab before leaving |
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? | It is really winter in Arica, not the blazing summer you are used to. Pack leggings and jeans, NOT shorts. Like you only need one pair of shorts for the beach and that is it. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
