Speaking a lot of English in Ecuador Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/03/2019 to 05/17/2019 with

SIT Study Abroad: Ecuador - Comparative Ecology and Conservation

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It made me really appreciate home, and I don’t know if I needed to go to Ecuador to do that.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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

this Program is trying to accomplish too many things: language, natural science, and cultural immersion. It is not particularly successful in any of these areas.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50

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? 300
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

  • Americans
  • 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The other people.
* What could be improved?
  • Willingness to hear constructive criticism.
  • Actually speaking Spanish.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don’t bring a snorkel!!! Or a sleeping bag.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Comparative ecology

Course Department: Ecology
Instructor: Xavier Silva, Javier Robayo
Instruction Language: Spanglish
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: