A great way to learn about Ecuador and Ecology! Past Review
By Julia R (Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology., Colby College) - abroad from 08/31/2014 to 12/13/2014 with
SIT Study Abroad: Ecuador - Comparative Ecology and Conservation
I learned a lot of normal glasslike things to learn about, but I think more importantly I learned to be confident in my Spanish and how to use it. I also learned so much about life, as I'd never lived in a city before and spent such an extensive time in a new culture.
Review Photos
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. |
I think that the work was definitely suitable for being abroad, however compared to college work it was very easy. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The homesteads are wonderful. While it can be a bit uncomfortable at first, it is so great to get to spend that time with an Ecuadorian family. |
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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? |
I did not have any specific health issues while I was abroad; however, the program was good about informing us about what we vaccines we need. |
| * Safety: |
Quito is a very large city which was challenging for me because I am from a small-town, however I never felt extremely uncomfortable you just have to always be on your guard and be prepared. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Under $10, not including traveling on your own time |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Ecuador is a very inexpensive country; however, if you want to travel it is very easy to spend a lot of money. |
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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | An advanced spanish grammar class |
| 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? | Make sure to really spend time with your host families because they are really excited to spend time with you as a student and to help you practice your 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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| 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 think that SIT prepared me pretty well, and I cannot think of anything that I didn't need to knoww. |
