Why did you decide to study abroad with CISabroad?
Kristen: I chose to study abroad with CIS for a number of reasons: the internship and immersive language experience, inexpensiveness of both program and incountry personal costs, and the quality of the staff.
The internship experience allowed me to be more independent and experience the richness of the culture than a typical 20-student university study abroad program. For five days a week from 7-1:30 I taught English in a K-12 Catholic school in Quito which proved to be a transformative and rewarding experience. The Ecuadorian staff and children are some of the most compassionate people I know. I came home to delicious 3-course meals and relaxing time with my host family. We had the ritual of watching a popular Brazilian telenovela (dubbed in Spanish) at 8:30 each night. For three days a week for two hours, I attended one-on-one Spanish classes at an unrivalled Spanish school called Terracentro.
The combination of Spanish classes and homestay experience propelled my language skills from a shaky low-intermediate level to advanced, almost-fluent confidence. I got to celebrate Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and a 5-year old’s birthday with the entire family—unforgettable experiences.Around Quito, I attended a symphony of Andean instruments, went on a night bike ride with other students, watched Avenue Q in Spanish, saw the churches light up at night in the central district, and had hot chocolate (a staple) with the locals.
What was the best place you visited outside of your study abroad city?
Kristen: During my eight weeks in Ecuador, on the weekends I visited these places: Mindo, Cuenca, Baños, Quilotoa, Otavalo’s indigenous market, and Galápagos. It is immensely difficult to choose my favorite, since the jungle of Mindo, the colonial architecture of Cuenca, white-water rafting in Baños, the crater-lake in Quilotoa, alpaca sweaters in Otavalo, and astounding wildlife in Galápagos are all different, but I would have to choose Mindo. It is a small town, easily accessible only two hours outside of Quito. I went bird-watching at 5:30 in the morning with an experienced guide; I went ziplining over the jungle in the afternoon and visited a butterfly garden; I saw the waterfalls and met people from Malta, Germany, Israel, Australia, and the U.S. Also, I cannot exclude the chocolate tour and tasting.
What is one piece of advice you'd give future CISabroad - Ecuador students?
Kristen: Congratulations. If you are perusing this website, either as a parent or student, you have taken the first step to researching a truly life-changing experience. Most families consider safety, expense, and the practical benefits when deciding upon a trip. I will address all three. CIS does an exceptional job orienting students to their new lifestyle, creating events to interact with other students, and communicating via email and phone. Should a safety concern arise, although students are placed in safe locations, students would be well-connected and taken care of. My parents would not let me go on this trip until they were convinced I would be safe.
Regarding costs, I would say that the price tag pales in comparison to an in-country experience. Whether the goal is to gain practical, hands-on experience, become fluent, or just travel and explore, Ecuador offers, in my opinion, the best opportunity. Having spent time with other students that considered programs in other Latin American countries, Mexico, or Spain, all of them unanimously agreed that they were glad that they chose Ecuador. I am too. I have Ecuadorian friends and students that I still continue to talk to, and I believe my experience will significantly set me apart for future scholarship and job applications. I wish you the best of luck in your decision.