A good break to learn outside of the classroom and improve my Spanish Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/12/2016 to 12/22/2016 with
IES Abroad: Quito - IES Abroad in Quito
I learned about myself and what I need to be happy. I learned about another culture that I didn't know much about before. I gained confidence in speaking Spanish. It was definitely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Ecuadorean food is kind of boring, especially since I don't eat meat. It is not bad and the food my host family gave me was good, just a little bland and not very exciting. |
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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? |
It was easily accessible. I had to pay for the appointment because I went to a private clinic, but IES reimbursed me. One of the program leaders came to me after the appointment and I filled out some forms and then IES sent the reimbursement to my house. The clinic was really close to my house and school. I needed the yellow fever vaccine for this program. |
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| 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 tried to eat at home as much as possible to save money during a normal week, but it was hard because I wanted to travel on weekends and that can add up with bus tickets and hostels and meals. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | It would depend on the week and if I traveled, on a normal week probably $20-$30 if I went out one or two times and got a couple of meals out of my house |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you stay at a hostel that has a kitchen, use the kitchen to save money on food. Also eat as many meals at your house as you can. |
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 |
We signed a form saying we would only speak Spanish to each other at the beginning, but after that I didn't see the administrators very often and so they didn't have an opportunity to encourage me to speak it. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | HISP 196- Topics in Latina/o Literature and Culture |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | 0 |
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? | I wish I had packed different clothes and planned out how to spend before coming. |
