Chile: a life changing experience Past Review
By Katie W (TESOL/Spanish, University of Northern Iowa) for
University of Northern Iowa: Arica - Culture and Intensive Spanish Program (CISP)
YES! I accomplished my goal that I wanted to be able to speak well enough to continue a conversation and be able to understand Spanish speakers while they are speaking together. I plan on returning here in the future to study for another semester because I loved it so much! I also would be interested in working here in the future.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It was overall really good. We had to deal with a strike at the school, but I don't feel as if it interrupted my education at all, and I actually was able to learn MORE about the Chilean society. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my family! The match was perfect, and the home was located perfectly in the town. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved all of our excursions, but especially the trip to Putre! One thing I would consider however, is to not have the trip to Putre and the free week right next to each other on the calendar. That made it a little difficult! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The city is overall very safe, but it is sometimes scary at night when men whistle at a woman, but that is a cultural difference that I'm not used to, and it usually is only meant as a compliment. |
| 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 |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I used Spanish for the majority of my day, but the other UNI students and I did speak English quite frequently which did not help me and my learning. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would tell a student considering the particular study abroad program to do it! It's the best thing you could do! I learned so much when I went, but you need to make sure that you are willing to make a few mistakes with language and be willing to learn! Don't be afraid to speak up! A student that would benefit most from this program is someone that is studying either Spanish or TESOL for their major. Other majors do benefit, but there are so many opportunities for students that study in these more specific categories. |
