Never a dull moment January 17, 2023
By Eva R (Human Rights, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/26/2022 to 12/10/2022 with
University of Minnesota: MSID - International Development in Ecuador
My Spanish improved significantly over the course of this program. Specifically, learning Ecuadorianisms abroad was really fun and interesting because that's not something you can learn in a classroom. You get to really be a part of the community and culture with the host family system.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
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 |
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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? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I personally didn't have any health issues, but for the students that did there was a complicated system where the student would have to pay out of pocket for their medical care, and then they would be reimbursed at the end of the program. This made finances a little difficult for students who were struggling consistently with altitude sickness and food poisoning. Personally, I never encountered symptoms of either, and neither did the majority of the program. There were 1-2 students, however, that experienced it frequently. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Overall, the structure of how they teach classes and set up host families is incredibly beneficial. You take classes with the students of the program, and will most likely live within walking distance to them. Because of that, I never felt isolated or lost. |
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 is a great country to live on a budget, especially with this program. Breakfast and dinner are always provided, and you can find a filling lunch on any corner for maximum $3. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Altogether (including coffees, snacks, and other items that were not included with the program provided meals) I probably ended up spending no more than $15 per week on my own meals. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you would like to go on adventures around Ecuador, go the hostel route. You can find incredibly cheap hostels, and most will give you a good deal if you're traveling in a large group. |
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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 221HISP-106B-2 : Spanish for Written Communication through Contemporary Culture |
| 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? | The program will teach an intensive Spanish class in the first week of the program. It was incredibly helpful. Take notes! And try to apply what you learn in that class in conversation. |
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? | Class Structure: You will stay in one building the entire time you're taking classes. Professors will travel from across Ecuador to come and teach the classes. You will have in intense workload from these classes. As a group, you may have to advocate for yourself and other students. Once we advocated for more time or a lighter work load and presented our reasons, it was granted. But initially, the work they were asking us to do was unfeasible. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
