A much needed experience for city people Past Review

By (Marine Sciences., University of California - Berkeley) - abroad from 12/27/2012 to 01/10/2013 with

Global Student Embassy: Service Program in Ecuador

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned humility. I learned to survive on the barest essentials. I gained new friends and new perspectives on life. It was definitely a worthwhile experience.

Review Photos

Global Student Embassy: Service Program in Ecuador Photo Global Student Embassy: Service Program in Ecuador Photo Global Student Embassy: Service Program in Ecuador Photo Global Student Embassy: Service Program in Ecuador Photo Global Student Embassy: Service Program in Ecuador Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $35
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Do not go overboard with anything other than the regular 3 meals a day. You are not there on vacation.

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
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? High School AP Spanish 4/5
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? Listen. Give yourself time to remember the basic conjugations.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • the students that were in this group with me
  • the director and the leaders' casual openness
  • no wireless internet forced me to unhinge myself from technology
* What could be improved?
  • someone to meet at the airport and lead us through the transfers and security procedures
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that hiking boots and bug spray was emphasized.

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 Adventurer
The 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.