Above-and-beyond experience in Ecuador! Past Review
By A student (Whitman College) - abroad from 09/02/2018 to 12/15/2018 with
SIT Study Abroad: Ecuador - Comparative Ecology and Conservation
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
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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) |
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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 |
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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? | 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 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. |