One of the Best Decisions I've Made July 01, 2025
By Jacob C (Environmental Biology, Washington University in St. Louis) - abroad from 02/03/2025 to 05/17/2025 with
SIT Study Abroad: Ecuador - Comparative Ecology and Conservation
As a student of Environmental Biology in St. Louis, this program gave me field research experiences I couldn't have gotten anywhere else that perfectly complemented what I had already learned in school. After numerous trips to conduct research in some of the coolest places on Earth (cloud forests, the Amazon, the Paramo, and the Galapagos islands), I spent a month studying spider populations in the Amazon for an independent research project that I was able to bring from initial concept to a completed research paper. If this seems intense, fear not! The lovely professors of this program will help build your confidence over the semester and teach you the skills necessary to do something similar yourself (I certainly felt that way). On top of all of this, I met lovely people along the way and felt truly comfortable and informed within the Ecuadorian cultural context. If you are interested in gaining field research experience, seeing some of the most gorgeous parts of the world, and applying theoretical ecology concepts that you've learned in school, look no further. This program is perfect.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This program was quite intense for a study abroad program, but I learned TONS that will greatly help me with my future pursuits. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The professors that ran this program are some of the best professors that I have EVER had in my life. I miss them dearly :) They were incredible wealths of knowledge and were very receptive to any issues I had. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The host family situation I had was incredible. I am still in contact with them and hope to visit them again in the future! |
| * Food: |
I always had enough food, and it was lovely to experience the food culture of Ecuador! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very comfortable here, and the cohort model of the program brought me into contact with people that quickly became close friends :) |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
At one point during the program my wisdom tooth began to hurt and I had to have it removed. I was able to access this treatment very quickly and it went INCREDIBLY smoothly. |
| * Safety: |
Very safe but like with any program that spends significant time in a major city, there is always some form of low-level crime that exists. Listen to professors and do the basic things that will keep you safe, and everything will be just fine! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The idea that I could have gone to another program is haunting. I would choose this program every single time. |
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) |
Ecuador prices are very low, and most of the money you will spend will be on non-necessities. |
| 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 |
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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 |
This program was very good about getting us opportunities for immersion, and the professors are delightfully encouraging. |
| 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 level |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Before going abroad, I recommend using iTalki to have conversations with people. During the program, just enjoy talking to the people around you :) |
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? | This program will be challenging but get through it. It will all be worth it at the end :) |
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! |
