Tips For Exchange Students

After spending three unique months living in the Galapagos Islands the fall 2011 exchange students compiled a list of tips for future exchange students. They are all things that one or more of us wish we had known before coming or found helpful when we were here. We hope they help you too!

1. Make an effort to learn as much Spanish as you can before you come and then don't be afraid to speak here!
2. Don't have a phone! You don't need one and its a cool experiment to separate yourself from usual life
3. The climate is not quite as tropical as one might expect being on the equator- be sure to bring some warmer layers (esp for Quito) and a wetsuit
4. It's hard to find beach items (swim suits, flip flops, towels...) so bring your own
5. Old navy flip flops are $2.50 for a reason so bring multiple pairs or studier sandals or expect them to break
6. Go snorkeling as often as possible- there is always something new and exciting to see and it is some of the world's best!
7. Get to know the local students, shop owners, etc. You’ll see them everyday anyway so you might as well make friends.
8. Hang out with your host family and resist the urge to disappear to your bedroom or go out with other exchange students every waking minute of the day. Yes, even if it’s sometimes awkward and uncomfortable at first.
9. Enjoy every moment. Don't let the little things get in the way.
10. Don’t spend all your time in the computer lab. You’ll probably only live this close to the ocean once in your life and time is going to go fast!
11. Talk to as many people here as you can (within reason) there is so much to learn through everyone here and all the experiences you'll have.
12. Go camping
13. Volunteer! Ex: I volunteered at the hospital every day with the dentists there and I learned a lot about Galapagueño Dentistry but also my Spanish got a lot better because I had to get used to the doctors talking to me with masks covering their mouth. :)
14. Take a different route every once in a while and get off "the strip". You'll find all sorts of different shops, perhaps a new restaurant or fruit stand as well.
15. Bring extra cash.. while you may be a "cheapskate" at home, realistically you will probably only be in the Galapagos once so don't let financial issues hold you back from experiencing it fully.
16. Don't expect internet! and expect slow internet if it is available!!
17. Expect cultural differences and try to embrace them (ex: Sense of time is different - "Meet at 3pm" often really means, "See you at 3:30pm"). 
18. Don't worry too much about planning trips in the first couple weeks.  You will have plenty of time to figure out everything about the island.
19. Have fun!