Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Beautiful Semester in the Galápagos Past Review

By (University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 08/10/2019 to 12/08/2019 with

IES Abroad: Galápagos Islands Direct Enrollment - GAIAS

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This study abroad experience was definitely worthwhile. All of the classes were not only educationally enriching, but required hands-on work in some of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. Living with a host family helped me learn Spanish and learn about Ecuadorian culture in a way you ever could in a classroom. Overall, I would recommend this program to anyone interested!

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.

* 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? $75-$100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to budget your meals, especially in the beginning. There are cheap food choices everywhere!

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? None
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? Speak a lot with your host family and make friends with local students. Speaking with locals is the 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?
  • Exposure to the Ecuadorian culture
  • Breathtaking views in the Galapagos Islands and Quito
  • The friends I made during the program
* What could be improved?
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known to pack lighter, because I didn't end up using a lot of the clothes/items that I brought, and traveling on planes can become expensive.

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.