The most rewarding experience of my life! Past Review
By Missy M (Geography, Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 05/20/2014 to 07/08/2014 with
IES Abroad: Quito - IES Abroad in Quito
This program was just plain awesome. The classes were engaging, the field trips were incredible, and the overall experience was perfect. Quito is the capital city of Ecuador. It's a beautiful city and literally every day on my way to class I found myself gawking at the Andes Mountains. Though I was always felt a little on edge, the safety tips they provide you with will give you all the information you need to make smart decisions and stay out of trouble. USFQ is a pretty campus located in a safer part of the city. The ecosystem class taken at this university is interesting, but the best part is when you get out of the classroom and go on field trips. I honestly cannot decide which was my favorite- the weekend at Tiputini Biodiversity Research Station in the Amazon, the day trip to the cloud forests at Mindo, or an overnight trip to Riobamba for a breath-taking (literally and figuratively) hike at 16,000 feet above sea level on Chimborazo. The days of class in Quito are long, with two 3 hour classes, but you will appreciate the free time you have in the Galapagos. The Galapagos Islands are SO cool. Every morning I walked to the University, which by the way is 10 steps away from the beach, for class. This class with Dr. Quiroga is a lot of work but it's extremely applicable. It is definitely worth the work, as I still find myself incorporating my assignments from that class into my current ones at my home university. After class, there is plenty of time to explore the island, swim in the ocean, or just veg out on the beach. Snorkeling was my favorite thing to do. You will see sea lions, sea turtles, lots of pretty fish, sharks, penguins, and rays. Again, the field trips were awesome- volcanoes, flamingos, giant tortoises, and incredible views. The host families I stayed with were genuinely kind people who love hosting international students. The people I met on this trip will be my friends forever. The food in the country was delicious. The country itself is inexplicably gorgeous. Studying abroad helped me get a new perspective on global issues, which is especially important when you are studying the environment. Overall, this was the coolest thing I've ever done. I wish I could sign up and do it all over again!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The IES people are the best. Eduardo lights up the room with his laugh, Gladys, aka "mom", makes sure you are always taken care of, and Juan Carlos is the quiet one always looking out for everyone. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host families. They were such genuinely kind people and I wish I could go live with them again. My host family in the Galapagos didn't speak any English, so if you don't have Spanish experience just be aware of that. |
| * Food: |
The food is awesome. Eggs, bread, fruit, fruit juice, and coffee for breakfast. Soup and a main plate of rice, lentils, meat (or veggies for vegetarians!) for lunch and again for dinner. I think I gained weight in Ecuador because it was so good and they give you so much. I had only one stomach issue and that was within the first few days. After that I was fine the rest of the trip. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no major issues. |
| * Safety: |
I was always on edge, but I never had an issue. Follow the safety tips they give you and just use common sense. Don't put your bag by your feet on long bus rides. We had a few people get their valuables stolen. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
I didn't make a budget, which I kind of regret. "Buy it, you're in Ecuador!" was a common excuse for me. It's easy to not spend money if that's the kind of mindset you go into it with. It's also easy to spend money, if that's what you want to do. I would advise you to keep a list of things you bought, because half way through the summer I had no idea what I had spent my money on. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 60-80 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't spend a bunch of money at Otavalo! It looks awesome but a lot of the stuff you see there is available for cheaper when you go other places. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
They encouraged you to speak Spanish, but with English classes and an English group it's easy to not speak it. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Two years of Spanish in college |
| 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? | If you want to improve your Spanish skills just speak with the locals that you meet and with your host families. Everyone is super nice and they speak pretty slowly in Ecuador. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | You need loose fitting, dry fit, comfortable clothes for the Amazon. Take warm clothes for the field trip to Riobamba. You do not need warm clothing in the Galapagos. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
