Experience Ecuador: You Will NOT Regret It! Past Review
By Kathleen F (Television Production, Murray State University) for
KIIS: Ecuador - Experience Ecuador, Summer Program
I had a great time and made a lot of friends!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was all very open, and was and not very strict. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The director of the Program is from Ecuador but teaches at WKU. The other professor was involved in the Peace Corps and has traveled there often. Their knowledge of the culture and areas were invaluable. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We stayed in very nice hostels in various parts of the country. |
| * Food: |
Know what you're eating, cause you might be in for a surprise! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Just one? How about Santa Ana, Yachana and the Rainforest, and the AWESOME BEACH! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Don't act like an idiot. |
| 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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Sometimes you have to pay for internet! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 202 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced Spanish with my fellow students and my professors. Spanish is the primary language in Ecuador, and it allowed for everyday interactions that needed the use of Spanish. |
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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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? | Don't be afraid to try new food, meet new people, or experience new things. I promise you will survive! |
