More than I could have asked for Past Review
By A student (Communication, SUNY - College at Geneseo) - abroad from 12/27/2012 to 01/10/2013 with
Global Student Embassy: Service Program in Ecuador
I learned all about the environment in Ecuador. I learned about the culture there and how people are so accepting. But for me, most importantly I learned how to be a member of the global community and work together with others while immersing myself in place that I have never been. Being in a new place can bring about fears but having a support system of 20 people, even if I didn't know them before the trip made everything worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This experience taught me not only about the tropical dry forest environment but also about the culture in Ecuador. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone that ran the program was highly involved and always willing to answer any questions or help in any way possible. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The house, as well as la Punta Gorda and the hostel were all well kept and safe to stay at. |
| * Food: |
Rosa's cooking was great. Not only did we enjoy full meals everyday, but we were exposed to different foods that I know i would not have tried if I was at home. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Interacting with the neighbors as well as the people in town gave us the opportunity to emerge ourselves within the culture. We were able to learn from them about the ways in which they live day to day and take part in activities that were native to their culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was not exposed to any major healthcare in Ecuador but all of the leaders were very helpful with minor injuries such as cuts, scrapes and broken toes. |
| * Safety: |
All of the places in which we stayed were relatively safe. We always traveled in packs and never encountered any problems throughout our time in Ecuador. I never felt threatened or in danger. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
We were provided with everything that we needed to live while in Ecuador. Any money spent was used for non-necessities such as souvenirs to bring home as well as local foods that we wanted to try out. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $60 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring snacks from home. You will eventually get hungry between meals. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Everyone in Ecuador encouraged us to try to speak Spanish in order to communicate with the locals. However, if we did not want to, we were not forced. It was enjoyable to try to use as much Spanish as possible to learn from everyone but it was not mandatory to be fluent or even have any knowledge before the trip. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | College Spanish |
| 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? | Try. It does'nt matter if the grammar isn't perfect or if you don't know how to say a word. The more you practice the more you will learn and believe me being able to communicate with the locals is a rewarding experience. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew more Spanish before coming to Ecuador. It's not mandatory to know and there will always be someone to help translate, but being able to communicate on your own is so much more rewarding. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
