Going abroad was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Like all good things, the initial adjustment was difficult. But after a couple weeks of getting to know my host family and orienting myself with the city I already knew that come December, it was going to be hard to leave.
What made my abroad experience so special, is the connections I felt with my host family and Ecuadorian friends. They were such sweet, genuine people and I felt completely at home with them. It was almost as though I had made a second life for myself. Of course I missed friends and family back home, but I feel like I could have stayed and lived in Ecuador for much much longer.
The trips outside of Quito were very interesting. With each new adventure, I felt like I understood Ecuadorian culture a little more. What makes Ecuador so interesting, is how politically, economically and geographically diverse it is. This combination has created a very dynamic culture and the traditions and values reflect this diversity.
One of my favorite memories was when I went to a soccer game of la Liga team. It was a big game because it was one of the final games in la copa de suramerica. We were playing a team from Brazil, and the raw emotion and passion for the Ecuadorian team was completely overwhelming. I couldn’t help but get swept away in the moment and was screaming as loud as any Ecuadorian there when Liga scored the goal that finally won them the cup. The fans were ecstatic. My friends were laughing and cheering and spilling beer all over one another. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. I know it doesn’t seem to make much sense to say that, especially since I am not a die hard soccer fan or anything. But at that moment, the happiness filling the stadium and the unity that each person had, was one of the most beautiful things that I have ever seen. And despite my gringa status, I felt completely apart of it all. I felt like I was where I belonged. I felt like I was home.