Incredible program. Galapagos & Quito - Study Abroad + Service Learning in Ecuador Past Review
By Andrea G (Psychology, Pomona College) - abroad from 01/10/2016 to 05/07/2016 with
IPSL: Reviews from former Locations
The Galapagos are an incredible place for so many reasons.
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. |
Not the most difficult classes, but really interesting material (for the most part). Professors were a mixed bag - I had one of my favorite professors ever as well as one of my least favorite professors ever. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very nice, always in their office and available to help. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Host families were amazing |
| * Food: |
Repetitive, but good food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My host family always invited me to do things with them, but Galapagos has a very complicated local culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have much experience with health care, but I know that although the hospital was free and basic stuff (IVs, etc) was easy. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Great program |
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) |
Even if you went out to lunch every day, you could get away with spending under $50/week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Maybe about $30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook meals! Usually someone will have a house with a kitchen you can cook in without bothering the host family. |
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 |
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| 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 |
| 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? | Talk to your host family |
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? | Just don't go into it with any expectations and it'll be amazing |
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. |
