I went to cool places Past Review

By (Linguistics, Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/05/2017 to 05/19/2017 with

SIT Study Abroad: Ecuador - Comparative Ecology and Conservation

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
An appreciation for the effort of anyone trying to speak a language when it is not their native language, lots of new knowledge, 2 more moms and families. Absolutely worthwhile

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I did not feel like I had sufficient time to learn about the current political situation

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had many conflicting instructions when I had an intestinal infection from medical professionals in Ecuador and at home, as well as from the program staff and my family and it was incredibly overwhelming.

* Safety:

several of my fellow students had belongings stolen from them, and my host family did not want me to be outside of the house after dark.

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

The program was unnecessarily difficult at times, and I do not think I was prepared for the heavily science focused 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Food was covered as part of the program, so only about 20$ per week.

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? Spanish 105
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? Spend time with 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

  • Americans
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?
  • Going to cool places
  • The group of students from the US
  • Living with a host family
* What could be improved?
  • Allowing more time for the host family
  • A restructuring of the view of the professors about the value of accomplishing challenges
  • A moer accurate packing list
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? People don't actually wear skirts, it's going to often be unnecessarily challenging