A Final Reflection

Well, I made it back to the USA. I've been home for about three days now and I've had some time to think about how this whole experience has really affected me in the long run. At first coming back to the US was definitely a reverse culture shock. Being back at home almost made me feel like my ten weeks in Ecuador was merely a dream of giant proportions. However, getting to show all of my pictures to my family and friends and explain my different experiences to everyone has helped put everything into perspective. I have never been so appreciative of what I have at home and the conveniences that living in the United States brings. Being able to flush the toilet paper, use the internet whenever I want to, and speak freely in a language that I know everyone understands are just the tip of the iceberg.

I always knew that I had a strong support system at home, but I never fully realized the immensity of it until I got ready to go to Ecuador. I was constantly amazed at how much everyone supported me and how interested everyone was in what I was doing there. Throughout the two and a half months that I was abroad, I saw the effects of my support system on a daily basis. Without my supportive family and friends at home there is no way that I could have lasted through the first week. I was so overwhelmed when I first became fully immersed in the culture and began to learn Spanish. Even though I was halfway around the world I still felt all of the support and encouragement from the States. I cannot thank everyone enough for that. It really made my experience so much more special to me.

I had a wonderful experience with my students, family, and fellow volunteers. I learned a new language, and made friends from all over the world. I cannot wait to keep in touch with all of the people from Ecuador and use my experience to make other connections. The feeling of being back in the US is like nothing else I have ever felt before, and being able to share my experiences with other people will keep the memories alive for me and it is a continual reminder of the work I did in Ecuador, the friends I made, the students I taught, and most importantly... the people that supported me back home. Thank you to everyone!

I have included pictures above of my school, students, and some other last tid-bits of my time in Ecuador!