Unforgettable Experiences! Past Review
By Phoebe Merrick (University of Virginia) - abroad from 09/03/2017 to 12/16/2017 with
SIT Study Abroad: Ecuador - Comparative Ecology and Conservation
I feel much more qualified for research opportunities in ecology, and much more confident in my Spanish classes. It was 100% worthwhile!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The program directors emphasize real-world experience in ecological research on assignments and excursions! There is a decent amount of homework and projects, but all are experiences to help you in the future. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was one of my favorite parts of my time abroad! They welcomed me into their family and showed me their culture. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Ecuador is on the US dollar and comparatively inexpensive to the US. The program fees cover food through your host family, so there are very few things you need to spend money on. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 20 |
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 |
Most classes were conducted in Spanish and you speak Spanish with your host family. |
| 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 |
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? |
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? | I wish I knew how valuable the independent research component of the program was going to be! It wasn't one of the main reasons I selected the program, but it is the part I got the most out of! |
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. |
