Ecuador, a place to know Past Review

By (Chemical engineering, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology) for

Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo (UEES): Guayaquil - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I wouldn't change it for the world, it was amazing to be there and meet all those different people and culture, it completely changed my life and my view of the world.

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.

the grading system is credit hours which makes it easier to transfer any credits back to the US, the workload is very rewarding, specially for people who love studying and learning at a great pace.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program is really good, the teachers are very committed and understanding. everyone is really friendly. the University has a great location.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived by myself, so that sense of freedom is the best experience I have ever had.

* Food:

I love " folk food" and typical cuisine from every country, and I am always open to new experiences, so I loved the ecuadorian cuisine

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Ecuador is a very diverse country, everything is so beautiful and people are so friendly, I recommend everyone to go there, they have everything from big cities to the amazon, the Galapagos islands, it's gorgeous.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Even though I took public transportation I always felt pretty safe, but you should always avoid certain areas of the big cities, you are always warned as soon as you get there. and they don't have as much health issues as we would think, they actually have a good health system

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
Language acquisition improvement?

The sole fact of being abroad, in my opinion, is the best tool to learn a language, but the best advise I guess would be. Just to listen, don't try to understand everything that hard, just listen to everything, suddenly sounds will become words.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Alway keep an open mind, you are going to meet every single different creed and race , believes in this world in a very small country, so don't let anything get to you, and understand that since you are immersed in a different culture, most things that you are used to will be different, but you should just have fun with it.