IES Santiago is AMAZING!

Everything about my experience in Santiago was absolutely fantastic! My center staff, my host mom, and my peers were all quite helpful and collaborative! My host mom helped me with my homework and speaking skills, prepared all my meals, integrated me into her family, and in general, really took care of me. I did not come into the program knowing anyone, but my group ended up becoming really close because there were so few of us (only 25!). It was difficult at first to communicate solely in Spanish as I had never been fully immersed before, but it quickly became much easier (and almost second habit even!) to the point where I came back home and realized that I had begun to think in Spanish! I think this program definitely helped me develop a lot, both on a personal level and on the level of improving my Spanish skills. I would highly recommend it to everyone!