Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Above-and-beyond experience in Ecuador! Past Review

By (Whitman College) - abroad from 09/02/2018 to 12/15/2018 with

SIT Study Abroad: Ecuador - Comparative Ecology and Conservation

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The program absolutely lived up to the expectations of being immersed in Ecuador's amazing biodiversity and complex conservation challenges. I learned so much through the experiential, comparative approach of the program. Furthermore, the opportunity to perform independent real-world field research was invaluable and allowed me to develop practical skills for my future.

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.

Experiential learning was integral to my growth in this program, and I was challenged in ways beyond how I would normally be at my home institution (in a good way!).

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

All the staff involved in this program does a wonderful job and really added to the experience!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had great experiences with my homestays with local families in Quito and in a more rural town during my research.

* Food:

The program always provided adequate and edible food. I miss good Ecuadorian soup!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My confidence and abilities speaking Spanish improved exponentially during my time in Ecuador, in large part because of my integration with the local community during my research.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have any major health issues during this program. I did not get any sort of intestinal bug, virus, etc.

* Safety:

I (as a straight, white, cisgendered male, to qualify) felt safe almost always during the course of this program.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Not money-saving, but money-related: bring a few rolls of quarters for the buses in Quito!

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

While in Quito, we had daily Spanish classes. Our biology and conservation classes integrated progressively more and more Spanish as the semester went on.

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? 305
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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?
  • People (local and Americans on the program with me)
  • Exposure to diverse ecosystems and wildlife
  • Field research opportunity
* What could be improved?
  • More time in the Galapagos
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Not much, I went in with high expectations and the program exceeded them.

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 Adventurer
The 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.