Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Strenuous Scientific Semester Past Review

By (Environmental Studies, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/01/2015 to 05/15/2015 with

SIT Study Abroad: Ecuador - Comparative Ecology and Conservation

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned what I was capable of when faced with many challenges. This was one of my most difficult semesters, but I also think it was worthwhile.

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

The program directors were not the most warm and welcoming.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We did not have a lot of free time to explore Quito.

* 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

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)

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

Students within the program spoke English to each other, and there were many times when our program directors switched over to English to better explain a scientific concept.

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? 300

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

  • Americans
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?
  • Excursions to the Amazon and Galápagos
  • ISP month
  • Other students
* What could be improved?
  • The directors (they could be more empathetic)
  • The workload (we were overloaded)
  • More cultural exploration
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How challenging it was! But how, in the long run, I was capable of completing everything successfully.

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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

ISP
Course Department:
Instructor: Xavier Silva
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: The ISP was an incredible opportunity. It was challenging at times, however, and the SIT Ecuador program evaluated it relatively harshly. They seem to have very high standards.
Credit Transfer Issues: