I got to live in the Galapagos! Past Review

By (Environmental Science., Ithaca College) - abroad from 01/04/2012 to 05/06/2012 with

IES Abroad: Galápagos Islands Direct Enrollment - GAIAS

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I improved my spanish and lived in a very very small town for once. It was worthwhile.

Review Photos

IES Abroad: Galapagos Islands - Direct Enrollment Photo IES Abroad: Galapagos Islands - Direct Enrollment Photo

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: University of San Francisco of Quito-GAIAS
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

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:

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)

We only got 7 meals from our families a week, so a lot of money was spent on food.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Bring more than one debit or credit car form different banks.

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 teachers were amazing
  • The courses helped us understand the local cultures and issues
* What could be improved?
  • The classes were too big
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew what field trips I was going on with my classes so I could pack accordingly before I leave the US.