Spring Semester 2007

Ecuador is amazing. For the past four months I've been living in Quito, the capital city, and it has been incredible. I come from a very small island in Washington State, and that among other things has made this all a huge adjustment process. When I first got here, everything was completely bewildering. But since January, I have learned more than I ever thought was possible in that length of time. I no longer get lost on the bus, I feel at home here, and I already am regretting that before too long I'll have to leave. This has undoubtedly been both the toughest and most fabulous thing that I have ever done.

Ecuador is an absolutely beautiful country. It has an incredibly rich indigenous culture and the Quechua language gets mixed into the spanish people here use. It's divided into three very geographically distinct regions: Sierra, Costa, and Oriente and they are completely different. In a matter of about four hours of driving, you can end up in what seems like another planet. People here are very welcoming and helpful although the school system here is much more formal than in the states, its really easy to make friends. I'm going to miss my classmates and family like crazy when I go home.

For anybody thinking about coming here on exchange, I would recommend it strongly. Ecuador is a great place to learn Spanish and make new friends. Be ready to wear really ugly uniforms to school, though… and be ready for an really fulfilling experience that will test you like crazy. Buena suerte!!!

Ciao,

Katie

Boating with Morgan and Jenny