Why did you pick this program?
I chose CIEE because I got a positive recommendation from a friend who did a similar program through CIEE. I specifically wanted to teach English in a Spanish-speaking country as I already had a basic understanding of Spanish, and the country that they had positions in that I hadn't been to yet was Chile. So I did a little research about Santiago, and decided that I liked the idea of having both beaches and mountains within a few hours drive to ramble around and explore.
What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
CIEE screens their applicants for two teaching entities in Santiago, DUOC and The Language Company. As part of the process they give you a pre-country informational session that includes safety information, facts about the standard of living and how to find apartments, Chilenismos, how to get a temporary residence visa, how to set up a bank account, and other useful information. The also do an in-country orientation that lasts a few days during the two weeks they cover for a hostel so you learn tons of helpful tips and tricks of living in Santiago.
You have to apply for the visa at your nearest relevant consulate, but they have all the information in a nifty handout so you can gather all the necessary documents and do it quickly and efficiently before you even arrive in Chile. You also have to find your own housing for the duration of your stay, but most of the people in my program found an apartment by the two week mark.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
If you're planning on going to Chile, you should know that the Spanish they speak is commonly called "Chilean" for a reason. It is incredibly fast, clipped, and chock-full of slang. Even native Spanish-speakers from Spanish-speaking countries have a hard time getting used to it at first. If you're an adaptable language learner and ready for a challenge, then Chile is the place for you. San Pedro de Atacama in the North of Chile is a magical place. Even if you're not ultimately going to chose this program to teach abroad, find your way to Chile's desert somehow in your lifetime.
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
As I work for The Language Company, the average week is spent teaching private English classes in the homes and businesses of my students. Every teacher's schedule is different, but I have Fridays off so I tend to be out and about hiking around Santiago on the weekends.
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it and/or how did your views on the issue change?
My biggest fear was looking like an idiot speaking Spanish. I found out pretty quickly that as long as you're being respectful of the culture and genuinely making an effort to communicate the best way to develop is just to fall on your face a lot. You have to practice, practice, practice, and that requires losing an inhibition or two and opening your mouth.