Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

SIT Ecuador: A hands-on, thorough, and fun program August 22, 2023

By (Environmental Engineering, Johns Hopkins University) - abroad from 02/05/2023 to 05/19/2023 with

SIT Study Abroad: Ecuador - Comparative Ecology and Conservation

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I wanted learning to be fun again, and this program did just that. Moreover, I study environmental engineering; as such, I am used to examining similar issues we learned about but from a completely different angle. I was glad to gain an understanding of the biological/conservation side of environmental issues. I was able to learn what other considerations should go into decisions of engineering rather than just efficiency.

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.

Classes and assignments were challenging yet purposeful. I rarely felt that I was doing busy work or just getting through an assignment. The professors were extremely available, friendly, and genuinely interested in both our learning and well-being.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everything ran smoothly. It is clear the program has existed for some time and is well-established.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Host families were a key part of connecting us to the local culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was able to access medication and doctors visits easily through the help of our professors.

* Safety:

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

This program gave me so much I would not have had at my university. It was extremely hands-on (think getting up at 6 to go on a 2-hr birding expedition before breakfast, then going to a river after breakfast to collect water samples and analyze them yourself), comprehensive (we visited so many places in the country), taught me how to do independent research (the program culminates for a month-long research project you do yourself), and provided me connections I still maintain. On top of this, it was extremely supportive (the professors were always available and approachable). Though it was a tough decision to leave my university for the semester, I am glad I did.

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)

Ecuador uses the US dollar but everything is significantly cheaper than it is in the US!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $20 - maybe?

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

Classes were conducted both in Spanish and in English. You will get out of it what you put in—as a group of students, we normally spoke in English to each other, but occasionally had times where we tried to only speak in Spanish.

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? Advanced II
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Host Family
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Hands-on curriculum
  • Supportive staff
  • Travel/excursions
* What could be improved?
  • Feedback on assignments
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Putting in time to do the recommended reading before going on this program goes a long way!

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.