Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

So Ecua Past Review

By (English, Spanish, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/12/2014 to 05/25/2014 with

IES Abroad: Quito - IES Abroad in Quito

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Everything. Independence, language skills, friends, maturity, initiative. It was worthwhile, but if I could do it again I'd choose a program that encourages and allows for even more independence - maybe a direct enrollment program. But that's a reflection of my own desires, not a fault of the program. It does what it does well.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Just be smart! I never had any problems with crime, but I took a lot of precautions.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

Food and transportation were VERY affordable

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? When you travel, buy fruit/bread from markets and bakeries and save on restaurants.

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

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? Beyond 3rd year level (literature classes)
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? DON'T LET YOURSELF SPEAK ENGLISH

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Being in a Latin American country
  • Speaking Spanish almost all the time
  • The support from the IES staff
* What could be improved?
  • Better instructors in the IES program
  • Partnership with a more organized, better ranked, more rigorous university
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I can be independent.

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.'