A needed change from the same. Past Review
By Josh H (Business and IGS, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/10/2015 to 05/22/2015 with
IES Abroad: Quito - IES Abroad in Quito
I learned a lot about many things, and it was definitely interesting.
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. |
I enjoyed my classes thoroughly. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I enjoyed everything that we did as a group. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was loving and accommodating. |
| * Food: |
I absolutely loved everything I ate and I constantly was trying new things. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was racially ambiguous so most of the time they thought I was a native or was from South America..until I spoke that is. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
They were addressed, but at the same time I did not have any issues. |
| * Safety: |
Other ppl faced issues, but as a male traveling in a foreign country I had no issues. There were many incidents of pick pocketing, kidnappings, etc. |
| 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) |
Very easily! Ecuador was super cheap. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 10-50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Just buy what you need not what you want. |
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 |
Yes it did, but I often was conversing with friends in English since it was more natural. |
| 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? | 104 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Just go for it. You know more than you think and you will pick it up very fast. |
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? | Nothing. I prefer going in empty. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
