Inspiring! Past Review
By Tessa J (Environmental Studies., SUNY - College of Environmental Science & Forestry) - abroad from 12/27/2012 to 01/10/2013 with
Global Student Embassy: Service Program in Ecuador
A life changing experience!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I learned so much without even realizing it. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were all so encouraging, helpful, knowledgable, and passionate. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I could not have asked for better housing. We were completely immersed in the culture. Perfect. |
| * Food: |
Rosa, the woman who cooked for us, was amazing and so was her food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I feel part Ecuadorian now. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
Practically everything was payed for. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We were often given the option to speak the language, although it was possible to get by without using it. I would encourage future participants to try to learn at least a little bit of the language. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 4 Honors in high school |
| 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? | Try. The people are all very patient and want the talk to you. The relationships you can make with people even though there is a language barriers are amazing. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Bring more clothes that you're okay with sweating through. |
