Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best possible program I could have chosen Past Review

By (Chemistry, Macalester College) - abroad from 09/02/2018 to 12/14/2018 with

SIT Study Abroad: Ecuador - Comparative Ecology and Conservation

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I got to be in entirely new ecosystems learning in person about the organisms and system interactions. I learned how to live in uncomfortable situations and how to leave my comfort zone and grow as a person. Extremely worthwhile

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

There are a variety of projects that are a good challenge but very interesting and intellectually stimulating.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administrators are awesome and Dianita will buy you ice cream :)

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

There was a variety of homestays and living arrangements throughout the program. They were a good reflection of Ecuador and ranged from very rural and extremely basic to a luxury catamaran in the Galapagos.

* Food:

The food also reflects the Ecuador culinary scene which can be challenging but is a part of the experience.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The homestays really make you feel like you're living there as opposed to being a tourist. I played a good bit of soccer and went out with my homestay brothers and their friends.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Some risk of crime but that is to be expected in any large city.

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

It had everything I was looking for in a study abroad program: adventure, excitement, rigorous academics, cultural immersion, and research 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)

Very easy once you paid the program tuition. Most everything was included and my extra costs were things that I wanted to spend money on.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 25

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

Spanish classes, spanish homestays, class instruction in spanish,

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? AP Spanish
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? Speak to people on the street, find a book to read, go to markets

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?
  • Exposure to new environments
  • Language practice
  • Research experience
* What could be improved?
  • Some organization
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Having a definitive idea about your ISP is not something to stress about

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 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.