YAY ECUADOR!!! best time ever! Past Review

By (Microbiological Sciences and Immunology., 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?
YES! I miss the laid back lifestyle and the welcoming attitudes of the native people.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I didn't take any classes during this program.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The daily agendas were relaxed, but awesome that we got to experience everything that we wanted to. Sufficient time was spent in the city as well as in the country

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We lived in a volunteer house- it was awesome

* Food:

The quality of the food was pretty good, but kind of repetitive.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The waterfall and visiting the town were awesome.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Quito did not seem very safe at all, but Bunche was great.

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? I probably spent about 100$ over the course of the trip on personal expenses
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Taking singles and fives was a good idea.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 202
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

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?
  • agenda
  • service learning
  • people
* What could be improved?
  • food
  • more bonding activities with the group
  • more personal relationship building