Eye opener Past Review

By (Worcester State University) - abroad from 09/01/2016 to 11/25/2016 with

KEI Abroad in Guayaquil, Ecuador

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Little things can go a long way, and patience is a virtue

Review Photos

KEI Abroad in Guayaquil, Ecuador Photo KEI Abroad in Guayaquil, Ecuador Photo KEI Abroad in Guayaquil, Ecuador Photo KEI Abroad in Guayaquil, Ecuador Photo KEI Abroad in Guayaquil, Ecuador Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Be sure to make sure the program has the courses you want and need

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Overall nice, but lack of communication and non comfort with directors

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Overall an okay stay, but would not do it again

* Food:

Food was amazing

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Very

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

If any issues addressed immediately

* Safety:

The location of the country was not the safest

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

If I was do study abroad again it would be independent stay, no host family. I would go through the school next time, programs just complicate and is a gamble of quality experience

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)

Cheap living in Ecuador

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? At least 100$
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Just save for you're trip! Have more than you intend to spend

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? Beginner
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? Beginner
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? Locals are you're best tool

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

  • Other
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?
  • Food
  • Locals
  • Traveling (galapogos, amazon)
* What could be improved?
  • Hospitality
  • Safety
  • Classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Who I would stay with, I would've changed that if I knew before hand what I knew now.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'