A overall wonderful cultural experience Past Review
By A student (University of California - Santa Cruz) - abroad from 06/14/2011 to 07/28/2011 with
Global Student Embassy: Service Program in Ecuador
I learned so much about the environment and the cultures of other people. I also learned how to build a sustainable farming and learned skills to make workshops that keep students interested. This trip was definitely worthwhile.
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: |
Ecuadorian food is delicious, but I personally got slightly sick of fish soup after about a month. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
GSE does a wonderful job in making sure you are immersed in the culture and have the most rounded and amazing experience. There is no shortage of opportunities to talk with and get to know the locals and their culture. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Bahia is an amazing town and always felt very safe. Obviously when in a foreign environment you should never walk around alone at night but I never felt unsafe while I was there. |
| 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 is quite inexpensive to live in Bahia. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you are someone who likes to buy a lot of souvenirs to bring home, you can save quite a bit of money by both haggling prices and buying things in less touristy spots. Also grocery shopping to cook meals is much cheaper than eating out every day. |
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? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Immersing yourself in the language is by far the best way to learn. Before departure it is always helpful to learn the common phrases that you would use every day. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | You will probably not need half the things you think you will. |
