Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Challenging academics in an incredible country Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/08/2018 to 05/18/2018 with

IES Abroad: Quito - IES Abroad in Quito

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I was able to travel extensively, become fluent in Spanish, study ecology in a megadiverse country and take incredible literature courses.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Administration was fine, although I don´t entirely understand the point of going through IES if I just enrolled in USFQ anyway - it seems like an unneeded step.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

I´m vegetarian and my family didn´t know how to cook good healthy meals, although it did get better towards the end of my stay.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I would just direct enroll in USFQ

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Depends on if I´m traveling. Maybe $50 in a normal week in Quito if I eat my meals with my host family.

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

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? 6 semesters
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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

  • Local Students
  • International Students
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?
  • Location
  • Classes
  • Language
* What could be improved?
  • Pre-departure visa support
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It will be rough at first, but the language will come sooner than you think.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!