Indescribable, amazing experience Past Review
By A student (Trinity University) - abroad from 08/14/2018 to 12/21/2018 with
IES Abroad: Quito - IES Abroad in Quito
It's hard to put into words what I gained from my experience because I feel like I don't totally understand everything I learned there yet. Obviously I learned a lot about a different country and culture, and the knowledge I obtained in my classes. But I think I am still figuring out the personal growth aspect of my experience. Everyday I think back on my experience fondly and notice little things that are different about me because of it. Going to Ecuador was one of the scariest and most rewarding experiences I've ever been through.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 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 |
I think the IES office could have done a better job being there for the students and providing support throughout the semester. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The first host family I was placed with was horrible, and I had to move out after only a few days. The second family I had was wonderful and I really loved them. The IES office needs to do better job making sure they are sending students to good families. |
| * Food: |
Again, in my first host family I was not fed an adequate amount of food but in my second host family it was great. |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
I think what is important to keep in mind is that as Americans, you stand out and that it is a country with a lot of crime. You have to be very careful with all of your things and with yourself. The biggest advice I can give is not putting yourself in dangerous situations. While we do that when we are at home in the U.S. as well, its so much more important in a foreign country. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I had a fantastic experience because of the country I was in and the University I went to. The program needs to be improved a lot, but because of the specific program I was in, the Direct Enrollment side, I was able to have a wonderful experience despite the problems with the IES offices. |
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) |
Each week was different, on weeks where I didn't travel at all, I was easily spending $50 or less a week. When I did travel, I would be spending a lot more than that. It probably evened out in the end to be somewhere in the $100/week range. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $40 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Little expenses like snacks and drinks start to add up quickly. The best way to save money is to cut that stuff out and prioritize what you really want to do. |
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 |
Since I was living in a host family and going to a university with other Ecuadorians, I was speaking spanish most of the day. |
| 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? | Multiple 3000 level courses. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | The best way is to speak it with the the native speakers, this is how I improved so much in my conversational Spanish and became super comfortable speaking. Also I really recommend taking classes in Spanish with other Spanish speaking students, its not as scary as you think. |
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? |
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 would've brought a pair of sweatpants. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
