Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Building Bridges in Bunche: An eye opening experience Past Review

By (Art and Spanish, University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse) for

University of Wisconsin La Crosse: Ecuador - Building Bridges in Bunche / Service Learning Program to Ecuador

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself and the world. It was only eleven days, but it is safe for me to say that this experience opened my eyes to how big and diverse the world is. I now have a thirst to keep traveling and experiencing other cultures in less touristy ways.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I did not attend a university.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program was very unorganized, but most of that is contingent on the life style of the area we are in. It seems that what can go wrong will go wrong, and everything operates on Ecuadorian time. Ecuadorian time means that everything is at least 1 hour to a day late.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in Congal medical research facility. It was a facility near the coast.

* Food:

It was very authentic Ecuadorian food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Interacting with the local children was very fun. They all spoke Spanish so quickly but were very helpful in trying to help you understand and trying to understand you.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Everything we did was relatively safe. There were not threats by people or anything like that. Some of the activities were physically taxing and a little scary (like hauling bamboo down a steep hillside) but I never felt at risk.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Food money was included in the program.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? The only thing I really spent money on was souvenirs.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • It was challenging.
  • The people were great.
  • I learned a lot.
* What could be improved?
  • A little more organization.
  • Longer duration.
  • Better preparation for what to expect.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Type A personalities will struggle, but Type B personalities will love it.