Ecuador: Andes, Amazon, Galapagos. What are YOU waiting for? Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I learned a lot about the Andes, Galapagos, Rainforest and I got to study and speak spanish so in that sense the trip was awesome. I also learned about the local culture from the two host families I stayed with (also awesome). I really just wish that the conservation class taught in San Cristobal actually discussed the area in which we were.

On-site administration of your program

Sometimes it seemed disorganized but things just don't run in a timely manner like in the US and I think some students struggled with that. They definitely took care of us (including getting some medical attention), organized trips housing and food, and all around showed us a great time.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved both of my host families. In Quito they were very relaxed because I'm fluent in spanish however some of the others were kept under much stricter rules (couldnt go out alone, couldnt take cabs, etc). My host family in the Galapagos was AMAZING!! I fit right in and did not want to leave them at the end of the trip. :(

They followed my dietary restriction (egg allergy) but it took two weeks of stomach cramps, diarrhea, and ten less pounds before I finally realized that I was so sick from my host mom giving tap water for boiled drinks such as coffee, hot milk, hot chocolate, etc. At 9000ft tap water for me should be boiled about five minutes (that didnt happen). It took me two weeks of trying to switch foods and doubling checking water bottle seals before I saw my host mom make my coffee. SO BEWARE OF TAP WATER!!! Other than that, everything I ate was delicious.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Chimborazo (five hour hike through glacial moraine territory) Maquipucuna (five kilometer hike through ancient rum running trails in the cloud forest) Tiputini (bio research station one plane, a bus, and two boats from anywhere in Yasuni Park, Rainforest. Galapagos (three week host family stay. I scuba dived every single day and the beach boys add to the already spectacular biodiversity available on the island.) tour of Quito (historical district-churches, convents, etc)

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Americans were defiently targeted but genereally just for petty theft, nothing violent. I had my purse slashed and wallet stolen and a friend had his pocket slashed and wallet stolen (both on crowded city buses). However, these were the only two incident our group had probably because we were given a very thorough safety briefing. A group from another school that we encountered at one point said that half of their students had been the victims of petty theft.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I could practice with my host family, program leaders, other students, teachers. It was useful during everyday life however there were a few kids there who spoke no spanish and they survived (in some instances with a translator).

Select all that apply

• Host Family
• Hotel
• Hostel

Select all that apply

• Host Family

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• Americans

• I had a lot of freedom because I spoke spanish
• I loved the places we went
• I loved living in host families

• Telling host families what we Amuricans cant digestively handle