Study Abroad is eye opening

My Junior year of college I had the opportunity to study abroad in Quito Ecuador on the BCA program. This would be the first time that I ever left the United States on my own and I can honestly say this experience humbled me, shaped me and moved me on the path that I am now. As a part of this program students begin with a month long course in Ecuadorian language and culture, essentially a month before University classes begin the group meets to work on Spanish skills and learn about the History and Culture of Ecuador. I found this to be enlightening and helpful. I was able to brush up on my Spanish skills before starting school and I was able to learn about the social issues and the history of the country I would be living in for the next five months. We then began classes and I had the amazing opportunity to take classes with Ecuadorian students, take art classes and have an internship count as credit. This program integrated me with Ecuadorian students and as a part of my internship I was able to do an ethnography comparing public and private elementary schools in Ecuador. While I was living in Ecuador I lived with a host family which gave me the unique experience of really understanding what every day family life is like. This program provider took us on unique excursions that were not just focused on having fun but on learning about the issues that face the country, on being sustainable and justice. I truly felt like I learnt and grew immensely. As a result of studying on this program I became enamored with the idea of equal exchange tourism, or the idea of travel that is beneficial to all parties both guest and host which led me to teach abroad as I now have a passion for learning about and really exploring other cultures. I would absolutely recommend this program to anyone who wants to be challenged.