Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were small so that sure beat any pre-med class or intro class I have taken at Tufts. However, some of the work was not up to our standard of difficulty. Oh, and one thing, professors will answer their phones during class. Just get used to it! Unlike Tufts, the syllabi are online while you are picking classes and like Tufts, everything is online. It is very simple. One annoying thing, the bookstore only takes Diner's Club credit cards so bring cash.

On-site administration of your program

Maria, the program head in Ecuador, is the most amazing woman alive. She makes the BU program what it is today. She is nice, helpful and always there when you need her. I consider her a true friend.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived at the corner of Amazonas y Naciones Unidas right across the street from Parque Carolina. <br /><br /> It is a fabulous location. I lived on the 9th floor of an apartment building with my host Mom, 17 year old host brother, 21 year old host sister and eventually the 2 year old (host nephew?). I LOVE LOVE LOVE my host family.

My host Mom was not the best cook. However, I am a picky eater and a lot of the time I just made my own food because she was out doing whatever. Totally fine with me! I loved that she had no problem with me being a vegetarian.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We went on so many great trips. Who can not give a five to the Galapagos! Also, we were reimbursed up to a certain amount for cultural events. I made use of that and used up all of my money sightseeing and going to cultural events.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Quito is a very safe city if you behave with caution. A lot of petty crime does occur but can be avoided with care. For example, most people on my program were pickpocketed at some point. I, however, was not. I wore my backpack around front on crowded buses and kept my money in my bra if I had a large sum. If I had my laptop, I took a taxi. The only person I know who got into any violent situation in Quito beat someone up at a bar. When he punched the guy, the guy pulled out a gun and hit him in the face with it. However, my friend instigated this and I think this could easily happen in Boston (or DC where I am from... much more dangerous than Quito!). I did not walk alone at night but I don't do this at home either. I know a lot of people at Tufts don't think about these things and just walk around but since I do (a result of where I grew up I guess), Quito was no different for me. So now the bad news... After we went to the Galapagos on our spring break trip, a lot of decided to go to Ecuador's biggest city, Guayaquil, before heading off to the beach. Guayaquil is very dangerous and we had no idea how bad it is. After a wonderful evening, we all hopped in four taxis. One taxi, never made it back to the hotel. Two guys with guns jumped into their taxi (unclear if this was planned or not) and drove them to ATMs withdrawing money from their accounts. The taxi then dropped them off somewhere unknown to them and factory security guards called the police who took them to the US Embassy. The worst part of it all, according to them, was that the US Embassy treated them awfully and did not help them at all.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

My Spanish was already pretty good. However, I went from really good at Spanish to fluent! I spoke Spanish with my host family, on the streets (no one really speaks English in Ecuador), with my professors, out on the weekends. However, I did speak English with my peers on the abroad program.

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• Apartment

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• N/A

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• Local Students