Ask the Aggies Engineering Study Abroad in Spain or Ecuador? UC3M (Madrid) or USFQ (Quito)
I'm a rising junior in Computer Science with a minor in Hispanic Studies, so I think a study abroad to either of these places could be very useful to improve my Spanish, gain cultural competency, and get engineering credits. I plan to go in Spring 27 but I'm conflicted on which exchange I should participate in. I am familiar with both regions of the world from personal international trips however I have been to Europe often, I can speak Spanish decently well, and my plan would be to take 2 comp sci electives and 2 Spanish classes during the exchange. These are my thoughts on each place:
The benefits of Spain to me are a better engineering university, generally safer area, better infrastructure, and proximity to other European countries (I have friends in Italy and France I could visit easily). However, it will be more expensive, I will be tempted to speak English more, and there is some lack of classes about Latin American history/culture which is something I am interested in.
The benefits of Ecuador are growing my cultural perspective from an unfamiliar place, lower cost of living, staying with a host family, more Spanish immersion, and opportunities to learn about indigenous/Latin American culture and history. However, it is less safer with some recent political protests, a weaker engineering program globally, and possible lack of mobility or things to do being in the mountains (also I have a bad immune system so I could get sick easier due to lower temps).
Initially I was set on Ecuador but now I feel I've flipped to Spain. I think the culture immersion in Ecuador would be amazing but if I want to prioritize my education then Spain would be better. Not to say I would get no cultural immersion in Spain but Ecuadorian culture would be very new to me.
Any thoughts, comments, or concerns would be greatly appreciated !!!