Different then anything i would do by myslef. Past Review

By (University of St. Thomas - Minnesota) - abroad from 01/02/2017 to 01/16/2017 with

AIFS: Galapagos Islands – Universidad San Francisco de Quito

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained the experience that you just need to give it a chance and not just say no if it isn't comfortable

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:

You should be willing to try the food but if you do not like it then you should say something.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I would love to do this again. The only thing that I would change is staying in Santa cruze one more day and not in Quito. The host family was a little difficult but it was a great experience.

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? we were there for 2 weeks, and i spent about 200 each week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? To share food if you go out with friends. I noticed that I didn't eat all of my food and wish I would have split things.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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

  • Americans
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?
  • The things were did
  • The teacher
  • The people that were on the trip
* What could be improved?
  • Host Family
  • Food that we are provided
  • One more day on santa cruze
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew a little bit more Spanish, to bring snacks. We ate a lot of the snacks that we brought but ended up sharing a lot of them because other people wanted some. To be comfortable with snorkeling. To do all of the readings before you get there because once you are on the islands you will not want to do the readings. Make sure you bring two towels. also if you don't want your clothes washed say something because every family will wash you clothes when you are away. Bring quarters if you are wanting to take taxis because they are very cheap on the islands but they are either $0.75 or $1. Get to know your host family it will help with being in a different home.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.