Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Challenging and Invigorating! September 12, 2022

By (Spanish and International Business, University of Nebraska - Lincoln) - abroad from 01/23/2022 to 05/08/2022 with

SIT Study Abroad: Ecuador - Development, Politics and Languages

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
With a focus on the goals of the program, I learned from the ground-up topics affecting daily life in Ecuador and my own. My world-view was expanded immensely from the immersion and challenges to my own ways of thought. I made great friends and experienced amazing places at the same time.

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.

Much of what we learned was in practice, which helped me learn even better and thoroughly the topics surrounding the goals of the program.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

When I had problems with my first homestay experience, the program did a great job making sure those were addressed for my second homestay.

* Food:

It was impossible to have a vegetarian diet, but other than that the food was great!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I feel like I know Ecuador as well as I can without having been native there. We got exposure and practice with so many areas of life and history.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The healthcare system was simple to navigate and I was able to receive the care I needed every time I needed it.

* Safety:

I felt unsafe in the city, but there isn't anything the program could have done to prepare me better. We practiced scenarios and tips to make us a little safer on the streets.

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

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? 20
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? You can bring a bunch of American dollars with you since that's what they use, and you can go the whole program without using the ATM.

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? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Junior-level 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? I did not need the dictionary I packed and it took up extra space. Try to use Spanish with your classmates outside of the classroom!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hotel
* 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?
  • People
  • Diversity of experience
  • Faculty
* What could be improved?
  • Dietary restriction inclusion
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have known that the things you're going to be anxious and scared about during the program are few an far between! I was mostly just missing home. But I'm glad I soaked in my time there, despite missing home.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!