Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

SIT Ecuador June 18, 2023

By (Anthropology and Hispanic Studies, Colorado College) - abroad from 01/29/2023 to 05/13/2023 with

SIT Study Abroad: Ecuador - Development, Politics and Languages

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This experience was very worthwhile. While some aspects (especially the ISP) were challenging, I learned so much, and made great friends along the way. The SIT community in-country was very supportive and they made the experience one that I would never regret.

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.

The academics were good overall, but the coursework was organized in a way that crammed the majority of assignments into short windows of time, while leaving other weeks with little to no assignments, so the workload/assignments could have been better organized to give more continuity.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The academic director and the program coordinator, are amazing. They did a very good job running the program and taking care of students -- the success of the program is very much due to them.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Personally, I had a good experience with my host families (and the hotels we stayed in on excursions were nice). But, I'm not sure that all students would say the same as some had difficulties with host families.

* 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:

Safety depended largely on the part of Ecuador that we were in. However, out time in Quito was definitely restricted by safety issues (i.e. we were not able to use public transportation, which made it hard to get around the city).

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

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)

Compared to U.S. prices, things in Ecuador are fairly inexpensive, and its USD so you don't lose money on conversions.

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? None

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • 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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The communities (classmates, host families, etc)
* What could be improved?
  • Organization of academic work
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew more about the safety issues and transportation/travel restrictions. These issues would not have changed my mind about the program (its so worth it!) but would have been nice to know more beforehand about what to expect.