We touched base with Matt Van Strien, from Toronto, Canada, who has now made Chile his home.
He is studying in Viña del Mar, Chile, and will remain there to teach English.
Matt gives a straightforward view of worthwhile day trips, a nightlife that lasts until dawn, and how to get the most out of your classes and being in a new country.
0:18 – Skype lessons to full immersion
0:59 – Making an ECELA choice
1:24 – Conversation & Grammar Class Run-through
2:16 – Local attitudes toward non-native Spanish speakers
2:45 – Class makeup
3:18 – Be ready to “live Spanish”
3:57 – School Location
4:38 – Working with the subjunctive
5:37 – Viña’s nightlife, food, short trips
7:04 – Crazy nightlife!
7:59 – Everyone wants friends
9:39 – Viña vs. Toronto
10:16 – The Clinic (for the hungry)
10:51 – Be Chilean with “cachai”
11:30 – How to get the most out of the program