Incredible program. Galapagos & Quito - Study Abroad + Service Learning in Ecuador Past Review

By (Psychology, Pomona College) - abroad from 01/10/2016 to 05/07/2016 with

IPSL: Reviews from former Locations

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The Galapagos are an incredible place for so many reasons.

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.

Not the most difficult classes, but really interesting material (for the most part). Professors were a mixed bag - I had one of my favorite professors ever as well as one of my least favorite professors ever.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very nice, always in their office and available to help.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Host families were amazing

* Food:

Repetitive, but good food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My host family always invited me to do things with them, but Galapagos has a very complicated local culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have much experience with health care, but I know that although the hospital was free and basic stuff (IVs, etc) was easy.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Great program

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)

Even if you went out to lunch every day, you could get away with spending under $50/week.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Maybe about $30
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook meals! Usually someone will have a house with a kitchen you can cook in without bothering the host family.

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

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
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? Talk to your host family

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Being in the Galapagos
* What could be improved?
  • More Spanish instruction
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Just don't go into it with any expectations and it'll be amazing

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Avid Adventurer
The 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.