You think you know who you are...until you go abroad!! - BCA Quito - University of San Francisco de Quito Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My best educational experiences were actually found outside of the University. I learned so much from just living in the language through my day-to-day interactions with my host-family and through my internship at a non-profit organization CENIT in Quito. However, although I feel that I personally learned more outside of the classroom, the University of San Francisco offers a wide variety of courses that accommodate students with varying levels of Spanish proficiency.

On-site administration of your program

The BCA Quito administration was wonderful! Daniel Bryan, the head coordinator, has done amazing things for this program. His connections with other organizations and people in Quito makes program excursions very unique and authentic, allowing students to have the fullest of cultural experiences. Martha Perez, the assistant director, was essentially our step-in mom during the semester, who took care of any conflicts within our host family situations and was very attentive to all of the BCA students' needs. Lastly, Miguel Andres Guerra was our other assistant director, and was largely in charge of coordinating student internships and volunteer opportunities. He was an invaluable resource to the BCA students in this respect. Although not all of these hard-working individuals will be returning to the program site next year, you can be sure that their legacy will leave a very well organized program that will continue to give students an amazing study abroad experience.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my host-family! I lived with my "ecuamom" on the second floor of a house, but also enjoyed the company of my extended family who lived in the rest of the house (aunt/uncle, cousins and second cousins, another international student, and our two dogs!). I had my own room and bathroom, which gave me all of the privacy I needed, but what was even better was being able to live with so many family members - it was a very warm, fun, and comforting environment. My Spanish also improved immensely through my daily interactions with the family.

Admittedly, I was disappointed at first with Ecuadorian cuisine. I am a person who delights in spicy, flavorful foods...anything that packs a punch! I would describe Ecuadorian food as having a more humble, earthy flavor. You will eat LOTS of rice. However, the variety of produce South America offers is truly incredible. I ate so many interesting (and delicious!) fruits while in Ecuador! And with that comes "batidos", delicious fruit juices! My favorite culinary experience while in Ecuador was eating "ceviche," a favorite coastal soup we would eat at the beach (think gazpacho with shrimp!). Lastly, the food prices in Ecuador are phenomenally low, making it an excellent option for college students on a budget. One of the definite advantages about being in the BCA program is that they use part of your tuition that you pay to your home university for a "food allowance" which more than covers your lunch meals/snacks all semester.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt very well integrated in the culture here. This was largely due to my time spent with my host-family, my classes at the University, and my internship. However, something I think that is most special about the BCA program is its commitment to the social and cultural integration of its students. Our group excursions allowed us to have encounters with the realest of people...local artisans, environmental activists, musicians, restaurant and hostel owners, Amazonian researchers...just to name a few!

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was very fortunate while in Ecuador in that I encountered minimal health concerns. BCA's health section of the pre-semester orientation was super helpful for the students (what foods to avoid, diarrhea is normal and even expected at the beginning, who to contact if you get sick or hurt, etc.). There is a health clinic at the university that is available to students' needs. This clinic is also specially helpful for getting necessary shots for certain excursions (safe and far less expensive than in the States!), such as the yellow fever shot for students wishing to visit the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in the Amazon. As far as the local health care system goes, I had one trip to emergency care due to an extreme eye irritation, and was impressed with the care I received...fast, professional, and INEXPENSIVE. However, I hear that this can vary depending on the hospital.

Like any large city, Quito has definite safety risks. These risks, however, are minimalized thanks to a safety orientation with the BCA directors following students' arrival. Students are advised not to be out past 7PM in certain areas and are instructed upon how to ride public transportation and avoid petty theft/other violence. Due to the machismo present in Ecuador, female students are also given safety advice in regards to how to respond to catcalls and other uncomfortable situations. Food safety should not be a serious concern for prospective students to the program, as host-families are specifically instructed how to prepare food/water so that it is safe for students to eat and drink.

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

It was very easy for me to live on a student's budget. Traveling around Ecuador is very economical...transportation, lodging, and food are all pretty cheap. You could have an awesome weekend trip for less than $30! The BCA program gives each student an allowance (comes out of tuition/program costs) at the beginning of each month. One part of the allowance is for lunch (approximately $120, more than enough!) and the other part is for transportation needs, usually to and from school (approximately $20). These are what the allowances are designated for, however students often find that they do not need all of the allowance to cover these expenses, and will often use the allowance for other personal costs (travel, souvenirs, etc.). The BCA program also reimburses students for "cultural experiences" up to a certain amount (museums, concerts, a soccer game, etc.)

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

The BCA program encourages its students to speak Spanish, especially through the opportunity offered to students to take a "Spanish pledge". Fall semester students are also required to take a pre-semester Spanish and culture course for three weeks before beginning classes in August.

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• Host Family

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• Local Students
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