Arica: The Total Opposite of the United States Past Review
By Allyson B (TESOL/Spanish-Teaching, University of Northern Iowa) for
University of Northern Iowa: Arica - Culture and Intensive Spanish Program (CISP)
My experience abroad has impacted me greatly, I wasn't expecting the culture to be so different from the U.S. However, coming here as made me realize that I chose the right career path for me because I want to teach English to non-native English speakers.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I felt that the workload was too much at times. The teaching methods were okay but I would have liked to have been able to get involved more in the lectures so I could have learned more. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The University that the program was supposed to attend, the native students went on strike so we weren't able to use facilities like the library and recreational facilities. I was able to get things done but it was hard at times. The program size was good and for the most part, my expectations were met. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I felt safe in the neighborhood that my host family lived in but it wasn't close in proximity to the downtown area. I didn't have to buy items to settle-in, just some personal items. I was treated like a member of the family from my host family. |
| * Food: |
There was always a great quantity of food however I thought it was unsanitary that people here leave food sitting out on the counter or table for hours at a time without covering it up with a napkin or something. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
All four excursions that the program offered were pretty fun. We saw various things like churches, museums, Inca ruins, spent the night in the mountains, visited a olive and banana farm and local tourist spots. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I didn't have any health problems while in Chile. But there were some students that got sick and they were taken care of as quickly as possible. For safety, I felt safe walking around by myself during the day. However at night, I felt more safe walking in big groups because the men here are very aggressive towards white women. |
| 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 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced Spanish with everyone in the group, professors, my conversation partner and my host family. Yes I had to use Spanish in everyday interactions because not many people spoke English. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Students that would benefit from this program would be hard-working students who aren't afraid to look silly sometimes. It will be hard to adjust at first and speak Spanish 24/7 but it will get easier. Don't be afraid to look silly if your speaking skills aren't the best, they will get better with practice. |
