Forest and community based living and learning August 27, 2025
By A student (Environmental Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 06/12/2025 to 08/03/2025 with
Pachaysana Institute: Ecuador - Rehearsing Change
I gained an infinite amount of knowledge, respect, and experience from the community, my hosts, and the forest. It is difficult to put into words how much this experience meant to me, and how much it has impacted my thinking, ethics, and future plans. Even though it was incredibly difficult, exhausting, and complicated, I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was in a home with a host family. It was very rustic, with minimal water availability and very small indoor spaces, but I loved it. Amazing, welcoming, resilient people. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I struggled with language integration, and would recommend a very high proficiency in Spanish. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
It is based in a very rural area, and in-person standard healthcare is very difficult to receive, so most things are dealt with in a traditional and/or minimal way. I needed a yellow fever vaccine to travel to Ecuador, but there was no concern where I was located. |
| * Safety: |
The very small town I was located in was very safe and welcoming. It was important to be alert and aware in the larger cities, such as Quito, but I had no issues. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The semester program with Pachaysana would likely be a better fit for me, but I love the program, it's philosophy, and the intention it brings into the work. |
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) |
Ecuador is very cheap, and there is relatively limited opportunities to spend any money at all because of how rural it is. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | <$20 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It is absolutely not a concern in this program. |
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 |
Minimal instruction or activities in English, and would likely be even less in future iterations of this program. |
| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 30 |
| 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? | Put a strong emphasis on speaking and conversing in your language practice, and try to find Ecuadorian or South American resources. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I don't learn languages easily or quickly, and seriously struggle to converse without a shared language. Also, you are always going to be wet and stinky and never have clean clothes. |
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. |
