Program Reviews

Studying abroad in Valparaíso, Chile through IFSA-Butler was a fantastic experience! Even thought I was there during the student protests of 2011 and my university was closed, I received a lot of support from IFSA-Butler staff in Valparaíso to ensure that my semester abroad was everything I intended for it to be. Although I was not able to take classes with Chilean university students, as was originally expected, my classes were still taught by Chilean professors and they were challenging. In addition, I had a wonderful experience living with my host family and I was able to meet other Chilean students. I also volunteered for a local organization, which was overseen by the IFSA-Butler staff. This allowed me to meet new people and add a unique, meaningful experience to my semester abroad. The city is a lot of fun and there are ample opportunities for cultural and language immersion, as well as travel within the country and the rest of the continent.

I am the sole person that I have ever heard who had a genuinely horrible experience while studying abroad, and I had the displeasure of having this semester abroad at the University of Auckland. University accommodations are in pitiful conditions - I hope you enjoy creepy crawlers in your room, and bedbugs! Also, let me tell you the real truth about academics here. DO NOT come to New Zealand with the idea that grading is easier abroad. Every other person I know that has studied abroad has come to find this to be the case. It may be, however that may be everywhere outside of New Zealand. Read up on "Tall Poppy Syndrome" which New Zealanders fully embrace. The phrase "Cs get degrees" which we use in the US in a more joking way is a way of life in NZ. Cs are all the students expect so as not to be a "tall poppy," hence, the professors also feel the same way. You will not receive an A at this institution, you will barely get a B, BUT if your grades transfer as P/F then you're set, because everyone is guaranteed a C. The final thing I would like to point out is that New Zealand is a small country, the physical size of Colorado with the population of Kentucky. There is only so much to do in the country, and once you have run out of these things and you would like to explore "the region" you've got a minimum 4 hour flight and $800USD ahead of you.

Peru is an amazing country but it can be a little overwhelming if you don't have the right guide. Ifsa was there with me every step of the way-from making sure i had a wonderful housing situation, to making sure that my special dietary restrictions were met (i keep strict kosher) and everything else. the staff is extremely conscientious and concerned about making everyone's experience the best one possible.

I would definitely recommend this program. There were some safety concerns while I was there- Student education protests (I accidentally got tear-gassed!). My host family was incredible however and the city of Santiago is unique in that there are all different types of barrios depending on what you want to do/what you are looking to do. The metro takes you everywhere and the taxis are well priced and bus travel to other cities is CHEAP. So many different types of experiences made it so special. I did feel like the staff could have provided a lot more support- we basically had to figure everything out on our own but that did make it so we knew what we were doing by the end of my stay!

I had a fabulous experience at this University studying through the theatre program. I was able to enroll in theatre classes and learned a lot from fabulous and helpful teachers in the department. The students were open to new people and helpful. Spanish classes through the institution were also extremely useful. I was fluent by the end!

The social life is quaint- nothing like Buenos Aires, but very lovely all the same.

Overall it was a great experience that I would recommend to others!

I thoroughly enjoyed living in Argentina – rarely does a week go by where I don't fondly recall a memory or experience from Study Abroad. I lived with an awesome host family in the middle of the city, walking distance to the university and lots of restaurants/bars and corner markets. The public transportation was exceptional with lots of bus routes that ran frequently. The IFSA-Butler in Mendoza were extremely helpful and I formed great friendships with my professors and the program director. My spanish improved dramatically. I was in two classes with 60 Argentines and am still in touch with the friends I made in those classes. I would definitely say the friendships I made within the Study Abroad program are stronger than some of the friendships I have from the university I attended in the United States.

This IFSA-Butler program is one of the few that allows you to study in Mendoza, a great city near the border of Chile (easy to travel back and forth to see both places). The support staff is the best part about this program, they meet you at orientation, are so much fun and then when you're in Mendoza, they'll always be there for you.
There's plenty of trips and excursions (within Mendoza) and plenty of nightlife.
You have to get used to traveling 'safe', there's some problems with theft like in any big city with a lot of tourists and walking a lot because there's public transport but it's usually easier to get around on foot.
There's also a lot of opportunities to teach english while you're learning spanish, which is a good way to meet local people who want language exchanges, etc.
Great place to go!!

IFSA Butler staff was incredibly supportive throughout the entire experience. IFSA Butler provides a great orientation and various day and weekend events throughout the term abroad. They make sure they are available for any needs and concerns.

Starting with its most attractive features, Tasmania is a dream come true for the outdoorsman. The island is at no loss for natural wonders and provides enough camping, hiking, biking, etc to occupy the crunchiest of souls. Rock climbing was especially prevalent, and I enjoyed bolted climbing routes a quarter mile from my off campus house.

I highly recommend signing up for several University-sponsored activity clubs. It's nearly impossible not to since UTAS hosts a day exclusively devoted to various clubs soliciting new signups complete with alcoholic incentives. Don't be afraid to join a club you aren't sure about because they are more than accommodating to beginners. Club participants and managers are some of the friendliest I've met (all student-run) and activities are an ideal resource for new Australian friends and passage into various social scenes.

Housing was an interesting one. The options are off campus housing or on campus dorms. I opted to live off campus and fend for myself. The dorms have a meal plan though all of my visits to the caf reassured my decision to go it alone. Be warned - the dorms are British boarding school style and will require some hazing in return for social acceptance. It's definitely all in the spirit of fun but I had a tough time taking cross-dressing orders from Aussies who were mostly a year or two my junior. In comparison, off campus housing is at worst a short bike ride away (mine was about 1 mile) and provides a much better sense of independence. Off campus housing will, however, make it a little harder to meet new people so you'll have to put yourself out there if off campus is your choice.

The social scene in Hobart was laid back to say the least. Nights out are exclusively bars most of which have a townie, live music feel. This is great those that want to kick back with a few beers, but if the city dance party is your spot, you've gone too far south.

It's greatest downfall, Tasmania is a bit of a chore geographically since it's an island. The airport is tiny and offers few destinations (may only have been Melbourne if I remember correctly) so most travelling into mainland Australia requires an extra plan flight. Since few Americans make the journey down under, it would have been nice to have alternate and more cost-effective means of travel. Leaving after just two trips to the mainland I felt I had missed some significantly noteworthy parts of the continent.

Travel was also hindered by academics which I found pretty demanding coming from an already demanding College and hearing the antics of friends on other programs. I didn't necessarily expect special treatment from the UTAS staff, but was a little surprised to see that hardly anyone at the college recognized that I was a study abroad student at all, not a Tasmanian vying for a competitive career in marine biology.

With reference to Butler's involvement, if near total independence is something you're looking for, then Hobart might be the program for you. If you're looking for a more structured experience, then Butler leaves a bit to be desired. There were a couple of Butler-sponsored trips, and though I personally enjoyed the test of independent living, I can see how some might need more support than the cell phone number of a Butler rep living somewhere on the island.

Though an amazing part of the world, Tasmania, and Hobart in particular has a tough time measuring up to the vast other sites of mainland Australia. I chose the program mainly because it started and ended in better accordance to my typical summer schedule, but probably would have been happy to have the extra month into July to do some more exploring.

Despite its downfalls, I'm happy I went to Tasmania and have no doubt I had an experience unlike any other friends studying in other places. That said, I can't justify its remoteness when recommending to anyone that isn't actively avoiding metropolitan lifestyle.

To anyone travelling in Australia I would highly recommend a visit to Hobart for at least a few days. Unless you're looking for an all-outdoors experience, it probably isn't the place to spend an entire semester.