Fantastic Experience for Environmental Biologists! Past Review
By A student (The College of Wooster) - abroad from 02/03/2019 to 05/18/2019 with
SIT Study Abroad: Ecuador - Comparative Ecology and Conservation
The program was definitely worthwhile - I improved my Spanish, learned about important ecological concepts, conducted my own research, and learned to live with less during a month of living in the Amazon.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The program had very interactive and helpful professors, and the exposure to field research and independent study was fantastic! |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Program was extremely organized and well done by the administrators. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Host family was fantastic, and all of the accommodations during excursions were great (though rustic at times). |
| * Food: |
Food in Ecuador tastes great, and it's very affordable! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Homestay famiies, Ecuadorian professors, and general immersion in the city and during excursions is great for practicing Spanish and embracing the culture. With so many American students, it was a bit too easy to slip into the English language. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Health issues were high priority for the administrators of the program, and they were diligent to keep up with students and ensure that everyone was being treated well. |
| * Safety: |
Quito is like any other big city- you have to be on guard, but generally it is very safe. There were no issues during my semester with any of the 22 students. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Overall, this program is a fantastic way to see one of the most beautiful countries in the world, dive in to conservation and ecology issues, look at the environmental impacts we are having on our planet, and embrace a new culture and language all at the same time. |
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) |
Cost of living in Ecuador is cheap compared to the States! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $40 |
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 |
|
| 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? | 200 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | You don't need to pack nearly as much as you think you do! |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
