Atacama to Antarctica January 20, 2023
By Lucia G (Wellesley College) - abroad from 07/27/2022 to 12/15/2022 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Santiago
I was able to really dive into the host culture and live as a student abroad. I made lasting relationships and memories that I will treasure. Definitely worthwhile!
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. |
The education I received was relatively good, as I took classes at a host university in Spanish. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It was a bit hands-off, meaning that we were very independent and kind of on our own. They told us this beforehand--the program is designed to be hands off. But, it would have been better if the administrators in Chile were a bit more organized. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
chilean food is very good, especially the seafood, pork, and bread |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It is difficult to integrate with chileans, though they are very friendly |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got my 4th Covid booster while in Chile, and the appointment was simple and fast. |
| * Safety: |
Santiago is less safe than it was in the past, though I never felt unsafe persay. Just take security precautions and be careful. |
| 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) |
chile is relatively expensive for a Latin American country, though cheaper than parts of the US |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | pay in cash or have an international credit card that does not get fees for international use |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | 200-level college spanish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Practice Spanish more before you leave. For real, do 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.' |
