Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Living the Life of Luxury without Spending a Fortune = Less is more! Past Review

By (Spanish and Therapeutic Recreation, University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse) for

University of Wisconsin La Crosse: Ecuador - Building Bridges in Bunche / Service Learning Program to Ecuador

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
whole outlook on life changed

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

never attended a university

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

such a good experience! Life changing is the best way to describe it

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

yup - all organic and accomodating for vegetarians

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We got a sense of the close-knit community by being invited to their discoteca

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

very safe

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? not much
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? spend as much as you can! The market is fantastic

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 330
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

help in the kitchen and talk to kids = they are patient

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • relationships
* What could be improved?
  • longer time there