Incredible Semester in Ecuador Past Review
By A student (University of Pennsylvania) - abroad from 01/28/2015 to 05/09/2015 with
SIT Study Abroad: Ecuador - Development, Politics and Languages
I learned so much about the diversity of Ecuador--the culture, the languages, the people. I made lifelong friends, I practiced my Spanish daily, I picked up some new Kichwa phrases, and I learned new ways to think about things like sustainability and development.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The host country program administration was impressive, welcoming, talented, and overall incredible. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Home stays were very welcoming and accommodating for the most part. |
| * Food: |
I had some challenges with food sometimes, but that's to be expected in a new environment. Overall, there was enough food, and it was often good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Although cities can be dangerous anywhere, the program did a good job of equipping us for any situations that might have arisen. I felt safe in Ecuador. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Always share taxis if you can! Don't go crazy every time you go to an artisan market--there will always be another one. |
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? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| How many hours per day did you use the 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 felt very prepared for the program. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
