Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Absolutely amazing! Past Review

By (Environmental Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/10/2018 to 12/08/2018 with

IES Abroad: Galápagos Islands Direct Enrollment - GAIAS

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained so much! I feel my time was incredibly worthwhile. I gained new friends and experiences along with practice scuba diving, knowledge from my courses, and spanish speaking skills.

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.

The majority of my courses were fantastic!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Host family fed me and I struggled with being able to eat healthy during the program.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Living with a host family really helps with feeling integrated.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

While in Quito at times I felt unsafe and had a backpack attempt to be stolen. Once in the Galapagos I felt very safe.

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

I had an amazing experience and am very happy with what I gained both personally and academically.

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 was as cheap or expensive as you made it. Majority of the food cost was covered and everything else depended on how much you wanted to spend on extra food/ activities.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $40
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Bring tupperware, and buy groceries to make your lunch.

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

We had a week long immersion class at the beginning and I took the additional optional Spanish course. Also, many of our host families only spoke Spanish.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 20
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? Practice before you get there so that you are able to interact with your host family. Speak to your host family a ton!

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

  • 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?
  • My host family.
  • Speaking Spanish.
  • That are classes were very small and that there was a lot of hands on work.
* What could be improved?
  • More integration with the local students who go to the same school we do.
  • Discussion about how the politics of the island will impact us, such as prejudices held by some people about us being there.
  • The optional Spanish course needs a professor that is educated as a teacher.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That The Galapagos is a heavily politicized place to live and that this will have effects on my experience as an international student living there.

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.