Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Best Unforgettable Experience Ever!! Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., St. Mary's College of Maryland) - abroad from 02/16/2014 to 05/26/2014 with

Ecuador Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned not to fear horses and that traveling alone is not so scary. I learned to enter a new culture with an open mind. I learned that is I am respectful of cultural differences, people will be respectful of my culture.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

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

It was cheap to travel in Ecuador. The food and hostals are within a reasonable budget.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $25
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy only what you need! Do not spend overmuch on unnecessary items.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 300 level course
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Practice as much as possible!! Make local friends and try to practice with them and have them correct you, to improve your skills.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Ecuadorian people are very humble and generous
  • Traveling alone is not scary
  • Living abroad was a good and positive change for me
* What could be improved?
  • More support from the program at the beginning to make sure the students are adjusting well.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I should have brought smaller dollar bills becuase 50 and 100 dollar bills are impossible to change in Ecuador.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'