I went to cool places Past Review
By A student (Linguistics, Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/05/2017 to 05/19/2017 with
SIT Study Abroad: Ecuador - Comparative Ecology and Conservation
An appreciation for the effort of anyone trying to speak a language when it is not their native language, lots of new knowledge, 2 more moms and families. Absolutely worthwhile
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. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I did not feel like I had sufficient time to learn about the current political situation |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had many conflicting instructions when I had an intestinal infection from medical professionals in Ecuador and at home, as well as from the program staff and my family and it was incredibly overwhelming. |
| * Safety: |
several of my fellow students had belongings stolen from them, and my host family did not want me to be outside of the house after dark. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
The program was unnecessarily difficult at times, and I do not think I was prepared for the heavily science focused 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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Food was covered as part of the program, so only about 20$ per week. |
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? | Beginner |
| 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? | Spanish 105 |
| 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? | Spend time with your host family |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | People don't actually wear skirts, it's going to often be unnecessarily challenging |
