Once in a lifetime and unforgettable. Past Review

By (Marketing., University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse) - abroad from 01/08/2014 to 01/23/2014 with

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?
It was worth every single penny. It was such an eye-opening experience that I will never forget.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very friendly, but one of the administators was kind of sketchy because he was trying to rip us off on the price of our hostels.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Felt very safe for the environment that I was surrounded by.

* Food:

Loved all the fresh food!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Our adviser knew exactly where to go and what to do.

* Safety:

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)

Everything was very cheap!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $75
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Bring more then you think you'll spend, because lots of ppl on the trip ran out of money towards the end.

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

I didn't speak Spanish but it was still fine.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? none
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Helping the community
  • Getting to travel and do fun things while there too
  • Getting to know the locals
* What could be improved?
  • Organization of the trip while there
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How to speak Spanish

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'