An interesting rollercoaster soap opera June 06, 2025
By A student (International and Global Studies, Sociology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/19/2025 to 05/10/2025 with
University of Minnesota: MSID - International Development in Ecuador
Yes it was worthwhile, met some incredible people and had amazing experiences.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The beginning classes for grammar were painfully easy and boring but the specific track classes were wonderful. |
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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? |
Absolutely amazing |
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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? |
Got into a car crash in a taxi but we were taken care of very well |
| * Safety: |
Got into a car crash but otherwise felt safe |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
Probably not just because of the issues with the administration on the ground. |
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) |
Depends on how much exploring you want to do |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy cheap food but not street food! |
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? | Brandeis 104B |
| 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? | Immerse yourself and speak the language with your American peers throughout the day |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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 wish I knew that they were changing the syllabi on us! |
