Career-Defining Across all Ecuador's Ecosystems Past Review
By Rae L (Ecology, Conservation, University of Colorado - Boulder) - abroad from 09/01/2019 to 12/14/2019 with
SIT Study Abroad: Ecuador - Comparative Ecology and Conservation
I gained confidence in my language abilities, as well as confidence in field techniques. I gained tools to define effective research methods and complete independent projects to successful conclusions.
Review Photos
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. |
This program provided the most incredible and in-depth field research experience I have had! I walked away with not only a high language level, but also a high degree of familiarity with ecology topics as well as their applications in the field. I would highly suggest this program to any environmental science or ecology/conservation student looking for a challenging but career-defining experience. |
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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? |
Much of the time was spent in the field, and therefore there weren't a lot of opportunities to socialize in Quito and meet many locals. The host families made up for this in many ways. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program is known worldwide for its high academic caliber. The experiences I had there were invaluable in many ways, and the amount of knowledge I walked away with was more than I ever expected to. |
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? | 10-40 |
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? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had some experience doing school in Spain and this is where I learned Spanish primarily. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Music and watching movies in the target language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | I wish I had been surer of my abilities before going and hadn't doubted myself as much. |
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! |
