Life in Quito Past Review
By A student (Wesleyan University) - abroad from 01/10/2015 to 05/17/2015 with
IES Abroad: Quito - IES Abroad in Quito
Quito has a completely different pace of life than what I am used to in the U.S. Ecuadorians are never on time and value friendships and relationships with people above anything else. I really enjoyed spending 5 months in a place with a different mindset (about school, work, spending time with family, food, etc), and I have been reflecting on how I can incorporate this in my own life at school. It was definitely worthwhile!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes were challenging and I learned a lot. But I would inquire more about professors next time, to make sure I'm taking classes with the best professors. (I liked half of my classes). |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The students at the school are from a higher economic class, and my family was also upper middle class/lower upper class. Therefore I think I didn't completely experience the local culture fully, as I had many luxuries that other Ecuadorians do not have. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I just went to the University's clinic when I got sick. If you want a different medication than what they prescribe you, you can just go to the pharmacy without a prescription and they'll give it to you. We had to get 2 vaccines before going to Ecuador--yellow fever and typhoid. |
| * Safety: |
Nothing happened to me, but pickpocketing is very prevalent. You definitely have to be on guard constantly. |
| 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) |
Ecuador is very cheap compared to the US! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 80 (if we traveled on the weekend, if not, less) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take the bus everywhere! |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | 6 semester college level |
| 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? | If you can, make Ecuadorian friends that don't speak english and spend as much time with them. Also speak to your family as much as you can! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I wish I had known which classes to take and which professors to avoid. Most classes were full when I tried to register, and I wish I had known that the add/drop process is not quite as lenient and easy to maneuver as it is at my home institution. Also, to bring quarters, as well as only sweaters, tshirts, and jeans (no dresses!) |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
