What inspired you to go abroad?
My ultimate goal is to go to a Physician's Assistant School, and I had the opportunity to live in Ecuador for 8 months because my mom is Ecuadorian.
I have always wanted to do medical volunteering in Ecuador to experience the cultural differences in patient care and to learn more Spanish to communicate with Spanish speakers in the USA.
Why did you choose Fundación Bolívar Education?
My mom was with me in Ecuador, looking for Spanish schools that offer classes and volunteering opportunities, and I felt the most welcome and safe when I spoke with German, one of the directors.
The school also has weekly activities with the volunteers, and the school staff was very helpful with anything I needed.
What was your favorite part about Quito?
My favorite part about Quito, Ecuador, was the feeling of being a part of a family, and the food was amazing.
Everyone at this school/organization made me feel so welcome and comfortable. I loved all the activities the administration organized for the volunteers, especially the party bus, which they call a Chiva.
The doctors and nurses at the hospital were also very welcoming and always excited to teach and show the volunteers different procedures.
Me in Mera, Ecuador
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
A big part of my experience was being at this organization for 5 months, taking Spanish classes, and volunteering.
Because I was there for a significant amount of time, I was able to rotate through different specialities in the hospital and excel in my Spanish.
Additionally, I did not feel alone because of the weekly activities organized by the Simon Bolivar Foundation.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
Every single staff member of this organization was absolutely amazing. They all went above and beyond to make sure my experience in Ecuador was safe and fun.
Fernanda showed me where the hospital was on my first day volunteering, she took me to go buy shoes for my hospital uniform, and a lot more. Monika took me to a cafe for one of our classes so that we could enjoy coffee and a light snack while learning Spanish. German provided advice and suggestions on tourist attractions.
A big shout-out to the whole team and professors, German, Monika, Fernanda, Sandra, Josue, Carla, and Gustavo.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
During my time abroad, I wish I had gone to the outdoor markets (Mercados) more often to buy groceries and have lunch, so I could have interacted more with the people of Ecuador.
I wish I had also volunteered with children, specifically teaching them English.
I wish I had visited the Galapagos Islands and the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
I volunteered from 8 am to 12 pm at the hospital, then had a lunch break before my Spanish classes from 2 pm to 4 pm. After classes, I would either attend the weekly activities at the school with other volunteers or I would spend time with my family in Ecuador.
I stayed alone in a rented apartment so I could relax and do Spanish homework as well.
My sister and I at Quilotoa Lake
What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?
I enjoyed participating in the weekly volunteer activities, going to cafes and restaurants, and spending time with my family in my free time.
I also enjoyed taking weekend trips to see Ecuador's attractions, such as the volcano Cotopaxi and the Mitad Del Mundo (Middle of the World monument), and visiting other cities and small towns to learn about the culture.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I was renting an apartment in Quito that was very close to the school and the North of Quito. I was living by myself and with my significant other, who is from Ecuador.
I really liked how close the apartment was to the Centro Historico and all of the shopping centers. There were always so many things to do where I lived, and it was close to everything.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
One thing every future participant should know about Pre-Med volunteering/internship before their program begins is that Quito has heavy traffic, especially in the mornings and evenings.
I would be mindful of leaving early to get to the hospital on time. It would also be helpful to have at least a beginner-to-intermediate level of Spanish, as it will be much more engaging to communicate with the hospital staff and patients.
Would you recommend your Pre-Medical Internship to others? Why?
Yes, I would recommend my program and this organization to others because I was able to immediately start at the hospital, which is very hard to do here in the USA.
I am very glad I picked this organization to take Spanish classes and volunteer with. If I were to ever go back and do volunteer work, I would return to this organization.
Cuenca, Ecuador
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit of traveling abroad is being able to experience different cultures and interact with people who come from different backgrounds than you. It helped me see and understand the differences between American and Latino/Ecuadorian cultures.
I think it is also important to expand your knowledge of other groups of people as well.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
Now that I am home, my time abroad has taught me to communicate better in Spanish.
I can also notice differences in patient care in Ecuador versus the USA. I am now able to translate and help Spanish speakers feel heard and understood.
Living in Ecuador for 8 months really gave me a whole different perspective on life in the USA.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, meaningful travel means learning something new about another culture. During my time in Ecuador, I formed connections with the people and saw the beauty of nature. I was able to learn about Ecuador's history and also get in touch with my Ecuadorian side.
There was always happiness, laughter, music, amazing food, and a sense of belonging.
