Ecu-Adore Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

A truly unparalleled abroad experience. Classes that were rigorous but not spent exclusively in classrooms, but rather in nature. Tons of hands-on and experiential learning. At the end of the semester, I almost didn't realize just how much I actually did learn because it felt less like school and more like learning through experience.

On-site administration of your program

There were some uncertainties in the program, mostly surrounding the plans for class excursions, but these have been discussed with the administrators on-site and with the program provider overall.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was blessed to have two stays in the beautiful houses of my wonderful host families during the time in Cumbaya (a Quito suburb) and on San Cristóbal, one of the inhabited Galapagos islands. While in the Amazon we did not have certain amenities but it was a realistic expectation and just added to the experience.

Food is provided mostly by host families, and was always nutritious and well-cooked. I had no dietary restrictions, but I did learn to be a less picky eater on my trip, and ended up finding certain local delicacies that I really loved!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt most integrated with my host families. Due to the short duration and the fact that the University of San Francisco in Quito was on summer break, I didn't have much opportunity to befriend any local students.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

A yellow fever vaccine is required for the program due to one of the class excursions. Many also took preventative medicine for malaria or other diseases, but I didn't. Many of us fell ill at certain points, likely due to food poisoning or unclean water, but I did not personally go to a doctor or hospital. I did buy medicine from a pharmacy - what I purchased was much cheaper than what I am used to in the US. Furthermore, over-the-counter medicine is distributed in individual pills - this was strange to me, but ultimately was not an issue.

I always felt safe wherever my program took me, which I think was aided by the orientation program that taught us certain safety tips (how to identify taxis, a way to protect your bags on busses, etc.)

There were certain opportunities (such as staying at the research station in the Amazon) that very few people on this Earth will ever get to experience, making this a very unusual abroad experience. Sometimes I forgot that I was even on a study abroad program because it felt more like I was an exploring ecologist the islands, a backpacker trying to learn the culture, a distant relative visiting their family.

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

Ecuador's cost of living is very low compared to where I have lived in the United States. I spent no more than $200 while I was in Ecuador, and I think that was about par for what my classmates spent as well.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

With my host families, I spoke exclusively Spanish, unless we were discussing the English language at the time. The environmentally focused classes were mostly in English so that everyone could understand, and students almost always spoke English amongst themselves.

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• Host Family
• Hotel
• Hostel

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• Americans
• Host Family

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• Americans

• Host Families
• Professors/Program Staff
• The Experience

• Planning (what exactly should I bring for excursions?)
• Health Information (altitude sickness and food poisoning are real and awful)

The Academic or Linguist