The Best Way to Spend the Summer Past Review
By Isabella (The College of William and Mary) - abroad from 06/06/2017 to 07/25/2017 with
IES Abroad: Quito - IES Abroad in Quito
It was absolutely worthwhile. I learned that there are great people everywhere, and that the people you're with can make all the difference in how much you enjoy what you're doing. My love for Latin America was increased tenfold, and my understanding of the beauty and diversity of nature as well. I was reminded of how important traveling is for improving yourself, expanding your mind, and gaining experiences and memories.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| 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. |
The classes were incredibly interesting and diverse in topic. A bit disjointed at times, but I really learned a lot, especially through the field trips and hands on learning opportunities. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I couldn't have asked for better host families in both Quito and San Cristobal Island, in both cases I was welcomed into the family and was so well taken care of |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
When I got ill on Isabela island in the Galapagos the IES Abroad staff member took me to the hospital and stayed with me the entire three hours I was there, which was incredibly kind and supportive. |
| * Safety: |
There was truly never a time that I felt unsafe in any of the places I spent time in Ecuador. By following basic, common sense safety advice ie. travel in a group, find out which parts of town should be avoided and then avoid them, etc. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program was better than I could have anticipated. I got to meet incredible people, travel all over Ecuador including the Amazon Rainforest and the Galapagos Islands, and I got so many experiences and memories that I never would have gotten otherwise. |
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) |
You can spend as much or as little money as you need to. The majority of meals are included in the program fees, and inexpensive snacks and meals are easy to find. Taxis and buses are really inexpensive, and there are lots of great parks and hikes that can be done for free. Lots of shopping opportunities, and lots of good deals. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We were encouraged to speak Spanish with our host families, in some cases that was a necessity as the family members knew little to no English, and everyone was required to take a Spanish course while abroad. However, there is no language requirement for the program, so nearly any guide or other person spoke English, making speaking Spanish unnecessary the majority of the time. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | N/A |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Make sure that you practice speaking before going! Reading and writing are important, but if you can't speak well and communicate effectively you might as well not know the language at all. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | It's not necessary to pack as much clothing as you think! |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
