Tell me about Studying Abroad!

[LordRetard]

Okay I don't know if anyone here has studied abroad before but if anyone knows anything about it I'd like to hear about it. Basically the story is that I'm planning to go somewhere for a summer or a semester, and I don't really know yet but I'm way into the idea. Right now I'm thinking of maybe Chile or Spain or Germany (because it's helpful if I know three or four words of the language already). Thoughts? Recommendations?

[Kimra]

Every time I applied they told me to stuff off. I have no knowledge of this topic except disappointment and sadness.

[Cirtur]

You'll learn about new cultures?

[Apocalyptus]

I'm planning to go on exchange next Semester. You basically have to fill out forms, big yourself up and find about two teachers or former teachers who will give you a good recommendation. Some overseas universities in non-English speaking countries offer classes in english along with introductory language classes, so it's worth looking into.
I was hoping to be able to go to Mexico, but I was told that I'd find a better match for my subjects (because my course is very specific about the subjects - we don't get any electives after first year) if I went to Texas. I guess that will be cool, but I was looking forward to learning some Spanish *sigh*

[Lethal Interjection]

Well you have to be discrete about it or you'll get slapped.


Yuk yuk yukillme.

[Apocalyptus]

Well you have to be discrete about it or you'll get slapped.


Yuk yuk yukillme.

I... what?

[Cirtur]

Haha, oh man Lethal, that's just wrong.

[LordRetard]

Well you have to be discrete about it or you'll get slapped.


Yuk yuk yukillme.

I can't believe people make that joke.

I hear that the University of Chile has a semi-annual Spanish program for abroad students. At first I had confused it with "biennial" but now I get it. Because I'm in linguistics I have a definite interest in studying in a place where they don't speak English, and even though it's a terrible idea I'd rather not take courses in English (which really is dumb, because I have no fluency whatsoever in Spanish). I don't really know what courses I can actually take there, though. I wish I could find a list or something.

[Cirtur]

Do they have the internet in Chile?

[LordRetard]

From Wiki:

Currently, Chile is one of South America's most stable and prosperous nations. It leads Latin American nations in human development, competitiveness, quality of life, political stability, globalization, economic freedom, low perception of corruption and comparatively low poverty rates. It also ranks high regionally in freedom of the press and democratic development. However, it has a high income inequality, as measured by the Gini index.

High income inequality just means that I can live like a king.

[Cirtur]

Aw man, coming in with your dollars. They'll think you're some kind of white devil.

[LordRetard]

I don't think you know what Chile is.

Over there, we'd be called gringos, or gueros.

[Cirtur]

Is there a good exchange rate? You should keep your job at the library if you go there.

[LordRetard]

Actually, I checked moments before because I might have to pay 5000 pesos to enter (turns out: not true, but I have other expenses). That's about 10.64 CAD.

Awesome.

Very quick, unbacked research (I'm feeling lucky) says that 200,000 pesos is enough to live at the bare minimum; which is actually about my monthly income (even in school). Which is pretty fantastic. Like I said though, huge inequalities. I hear 1,500 USD is "very comfortable". 'Course I'm a student, which complicates things. Apparently right now I'd be looking at private lodgings with a family, which I am not really into but we'll see. IF I go to Chile. Getting a little overexcited over here.

My job is one thing that I'm concerned about; at minimum, I can go away for about 6 weeks during the summer, and at that point my only choice is pretty much Berlin (we also have a program in Tokyo; someone who went there advises me to study it here for a year first, which is an idea, but I'm not seriously considering it at the moment; I am also totally not into Ecuador or Mexico). If I go somewhere else I'm looking at at least a semester, which is about 14 weeks. I get about 2 or 3 weeks vacation.

SO I can talk it over with my various bosses and I might be granted some extended leave, but it is a very dangerous move. I'm with a union so they can't really just throw me out, but they could probably give me an ultimatum and force me to quit if I leave.

[mountainmage]

I guess that will be cool, but I was looking forward to learning some Spanish *sigh*

You do know that there's a lot of Spanish-speaking folks in Texas, right?

Also, Frostbite is there!