Reciprocity, Growing-into, Decolonization Past Review
By Gabe (Williams College) - abroad from 08/18/2017 to 12/18/2017 with
Pachaysana Institute: Ecuador - Rehearsing Change
Pachaysana is actually supporting local participant communities in changing their systems, from small greenhouses and stages to the stories that circulate in our societies. It was a privilege to take part in that dreaming together.
Review Photos
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. |
Unlike any courses I've taken before-- extremely experiential, deeply social, co-creating knowledge with local students on equitable terms, expressing through creative and embodied methods, urgently integrated with communities. All by invitation and through genuine partnerships, never exploitative. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Adaptable, conscientious, transparent, with many decisions made collectively. Since it's a small program, the faculty are the staff as well as your guides, and you're interacting with them most days either for class or a walk or hanging out. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Homestays with the sweetest people I've ever met |
| * Food: |
Delicious, incredibly local and fresh in every location |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Pachaysana makes every effort to get both international and local students on a level playing field where everyone can bring their own experiences and perspectives. Minimal tourist vibes. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I felt very well cared-for by my host family, peers, and the program during my microbiome's transition to Ecuador. Herbal teas worked wonders. |
| * Safety: |
Comprehensive safety briefing at the beginning of the program. Substantial monthly allowance for taxis. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Rehearsing Change takes Fair Trade education extremely seriously, and is developing a beautiful practice for it in reality. |
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) |
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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 |
All Spanish in classes, with host families, in the city, and with local friends. |
| 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 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | It took me about three weeks before I felt comfortable with my comprehension, but the more you try to speak the faster that goes! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | 10+ |
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? | To let go of cynicism and jadedness, and to never forget each person's humanity, even in times of intense criticality and searching. |
