Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Ecuador: Full of Wonderful Adventures Past Review

By (Environmental Studies., Trinity University) - abroad from 01/04/2012 to 05/18/2012 with

IES Abroad: Quito - IES Abroad in Quito

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes it was definitely worthwhile. I learned so much about a different (and wonderful) culture and it changed how I view the world.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administration are really nice and helpful and will help with anything if you just ask.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

I loved the food! My host mom was the best cook.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had to have a yellow fever vaccine for the trip to the Amazon and malaria meds were also recommended.

* Safety:

Quito is not a very safe city so you need to take precautions when going out. Try not to travel alone, never walk when its dark outside, try to take a cab or the bus whenever possible (it's super cheap), watch your belongings when walking or on the bus because pickpockets are very talented. Most crime in Quito is just petty, non-violent theft so as long as you're smart about where you go, what time you go, and how you get there, you should be fine.

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)

Ecuador is cheap! The bus costs .25 cents, a taxi should be no more than $4 (although they will try to rip you off so watch out for that!), you can get a delicious 3 course meal for $2.99, hostels were $6-10, bus tickets to the beach were about $10, pretty much the only expensive things were clothes in the malls (due to high import tax).

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $10

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

They have a "no English" policy at the IES center but it's not strictly enforced. But the classes are all in 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? Sophomore 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? One of my biggest regrets was not talking in Spanish when I was around my friends (which was often). That was so much practice time I lost and can't get back. So try to speak in Spanish whenever possible!

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
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?
  • Trips to Galapagos and the Amazon
* What could be improved?
  • Enforcement of speaking the language
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? What to pack. I packed way too much.

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.