Life Changing Experience

Ecuaexperience is the type of trip that you can only fully appreciate once you have participated in it. The three componente of Help, Learn and Discover were executed perfectly and everyday we had a list of activities that we would take part in.

The volunteering Help component of the trip was a very humbling experience. The community that we were able to work along side was extremely deserving and welcomed everyone with open arms. I had the privilage of being the groups treasurer which gave me the opportunity to first hand buy all the needed supplies and essential components that each house needed with our fundraised money. Every single penny was used for the houses and nothing more. The work was hard and long but regardless we all came out smiling everyday. The workers that help build the homes are actually the people receiving the homes, so they are extremely hard working and very patient with us considering the fact that most of us had no experience. We also had the oppurtunity to see the current living conditions of the family and that was extremely eye opening. These people are very deserving of everything and more and it brings me great joy to be able to take part in making in impacting their life.

The Learn portion completely surpassed my expectations. We were able to take part in 5 rotations including OR, ER, radiology, peadiactrics, sports medicine and activities such as infernal medicine, learning how to stitch, advanced CPR, and drawing blood. During the rotations we were assinged to different tutors. They extremely knowledgable in everything, great teachers and easy to get along with. We also got to interact with the patients and even speak to some of the doctors which I was not expecting at all. This portion definitely helped affirm my desire to work in the Health field and I would highly recommend it for any one considering to join it as well.

Ecuador is a beautiful country and the Discover portion did a fanstastic job at showing it to us. The scenery is breath taking anywhere you look and the color of green is endless. Each city that we got to visit had so much to offer and everyday you wish you could stay longer. The hotels we stayed at throughout the trip completely surpassed my expectations and were worth every penny. Canoa beach was my personal favorite.

Overall the trip was an amazing experience and I feel blessed having the oppurtunity to have taken part in such a great program. You come out a completely different person and I'm forever grateful for that.