Chile: The Semester that Changed me Forever Past Review
By Tonya S (Peace and Social Justice, Berea College) for
USAC Chile: Santiago - Spanish Language, Latin American Cultures, Journalism, and International Studies
This was the most worthwhile experience of my life. My entire outlook on life has changed. I will continue studying Spanish until I am fluent and I also want to travel to more Spanish-speaking countries and experience the culture in as many of them as I can.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I think that the host country program administration in Chile should make more of an effort to introduce American students to Chilean students. We all want to meet each other, but with language barriers, there is much shyness that we are not sure how to overcome. Arranging mixers and/or socials would be very helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Everything about Chile was memorable. I cannot choose just one specific thing. It was all amazing. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent approximately $20 on transportation each week for the metro. Plan to spend a large amount of your money on transportation expenses. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I got food poisoning a month before I left Chile and had to spend an unanticipated $300 for medical expenses. We were not informed that we would have to pay upfront for medical expenses and be reimbursed upon returning back to our home country. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced Spanish with my host family and the two Chilean friends that I met late in the semester. I also practiced Spanish with my English-speaking American student friends. Yes, I used the host country language in everyday interactions, on a daily basis. No, most people did not speak English. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If you are even slightly considering studying abroad, do it! You will never regret it, but you will regret not doing it. |
