Galapagos Islands: A personal evolution Past Review
By Robert G (Biology, General., Ithaca College) for
IES Abroad: Galápagos Islands Direct Enrollment - GAIAS
It was an amazing experience. I saw the world barely touched by humans. In this world, I was the happiest I have ever been. And I can now take that happiness and spread it wherever I go
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was easier than my home university, but the outdoor field experience was incomparable to anything I have done in the States |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were very kind to all the students but communication could have been better |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
It is very difficult to be a vegetarian and live in Ecuador |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Our trips in mainland ecuador to the rainforest was one of my favorite experiences |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Quito is dangerous, Galapagos towns are sooo peaceful |
| 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) |
|
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | use a debit card |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
|
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
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 |
|
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? | Learn Spanish!! It will make the experience so much more fun |
