Unequivocal Experience- Galapagos Islands Past Review

By (University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 01/05/2018 to 05/05/2018 with

IES Abroad: Galápagos Islands Direct Enrollment - GAIAS

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This was the best thing I could have chosen for myself. This abroad program exceeds anything I had thought about before and I wouldn't trade the experience for the world.

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.

The academic courses offered are pretty extraordinary. If you get the chance, take Tropical Ecology- best class.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Host family living is very different and strange, but take it in stride and it will be one of the best things you've ever done

* Food:

Lots of rice !

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The healthcare was super accessible and all of it is free. The program itself helped a lot with that, one of our advisors always went above and beyond with bringing people to the hospital and making sure we understood everything

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

This program exceeded all of my expectations and has been some of the best time in my life. Full of life, color and adventure.

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)

Everything here is pretty inexpensive, and generally you can get your money's worth if you know how to spend smart!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $20

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? 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? Spanish at the university level
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? Talk with your host family!!! Communication is important and they love it when you try, even if you're not all too good yet. Its the absolute best way to learn

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Nature
  • Field trips
  • Host families
* What could be improved?
  • Expectations
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? About certain types of bugs and about how to deal with a host mom that has never had a kid before!

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.