Incredible Experiences and Unforgettable Memories Past Review
By Maddy Quirke-Shattuck (Connecticut College) - abroad from 08/11/2017 to 12/08/2017 with
IES Abroad: Galápagos Islands Direct Enrollment - GAIAS
During my semester abroad and even after my return, I learned that no matter what new environment I find myself in, I could build on and integrate my past life experiences to enrich my present endeavors, and guide any plan of action for the future. Although I was living within a very different culture where the people interacted in a distinct manner and spoke in a different language than the one I grew up with and knew as “normal”, simply knowing that I had such a lovely host family supporting me, I was able to accept and embrace the unfamiliarity of my environment.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
It was reassuring to know that I could be accompanied by our on-staff IES advisor to the hospital on the island (Hospital Oskar Jandl) if I ever needed any medical assistance. |
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| 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) |
Meals are very affordable in mainland Ecuador compared to other study abroad sites, and were even cheaper on San Cristóbal. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $25 |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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 culture-based Spanish courses at my college |
| 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? | Never be afraid to connect with locals if you worried that the language barrier may cause issues. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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? | Home could be anywhere, no matter how different it may feel in the beginning. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
