At the end of their AFS exchange in Ecuador, we asked some recent AFSers from the USA about their experience abroad.
About Culture
About Language
About Food
About School
About Culture
- FAMILY: It is the single most important thing in your life. That was the bottom-line-no-questions-asked truth about Ecuadorian families. It was hard for me to adjust from a family where I see my cousins once a year max to living down the road from my ENTIRE host family and having dinner with them every weekend. Expect to spend MUCH more time with family. There where many more Ecuadorians living in the US than I expected. And everyone who had a relative there assumed I knew them because I was from the US. :-) (Mary, Year Program, 2007)
- Ecuador is very family oriented, but they’re also very honest. My host mom wouldn’t hesitate to point out a blemish on my skin or if she thought I was to fat. They think that this kind of openness is great because they’re being honest. You have to be very self assured if you want to go to Ecuador. The year I went they offered a trip to the Galapagos, if you have the chance to go, GO! It was an amazing experience. If you find yourself thinking, “Gosh, I can’t believe these people actually believe this,” or, “This is so stupid!” Just smile, nod and go along with it. Even if you feel stupid or you think it’s something dumb, just remember: they all think you’re a stupid, dumb foreigner anyway because you can’t fluently speak the language. Even though some of my bad experiences there, Ecuador is an amazing country and, if you work hard, you can have an amazing year! (Catheryn, Year Program, 2007)
- One of the hardest things for me to adjust to was the sexism in Ecuador. I found that, even though I was 18, got good grades, helped cook and clean the house and did all my homework, my 15 year old host brother, who got bad grades, yelled at his mom, complained about the cooking and lay in bed all day watching TV, was allowed to do more than I was. (Catheryn, Year Program, 2007)
About Language
- I found communication to be very difficult. The language, at first of course, but also the subtler sides of communication. The direct/indirect communication thing may seem pointless and unnecessary, but be careful because these differences in communicating can cause uneasiness between you and your family and neither of you may understand why. And, of course like many Latin American countries the machismo and cat-calling can be very uncomfortable, but it’s normal and you have to just deal with it. (Mia, Semester Program, 2007)
- If you don’t understand something, talk about it! People really love to help you, and pretending that you do understand will only catch up with you. Prepare to get embarrassed A LOT. It’s OK, just laugh with everyone else. Try everything! (that you are comfortable with) you never know what you may actually like, and your host family will appreciate it. Answer questions! People will have lots of them, and it can be fun for both of you, and a great way to practice the language. (Mia, Semester Program, 2007)
About Food
- Have fun!! Do things you wouldn’t normally do and be sure to keep an open mind. When you’re offered chicken-foot soup, with the actual chicken feet floating in your bowl, don’t throw a fit but politely turn it down or make a point of sipping some of the broth. It’ll all make for great stories once you get back home. (Maya, Semester Program, 2007)
- Try “cuy” or guinea pig, it’s not as bad as it sounds but no, it doesn’t taste like chicken. (Mary, Year Program, 2007)
- Set the standard early on if you are a light eater. Ecuadorians eat huge portions and do not understand the concept of being full or not hungry. Don’t force it in the beginning just to be polite because than you’ll never live it down. (Maya, Semester Program, 2007)
About School
- In school you’ll have a lot more classes and will more than likely have to wear a uniform. Sometimes the school can be one of the most shocking. I went to school in the states that was new, had everything tiled, sparkly and nice, and there was always toilet paper in the bathroom. I went to a school in Ecuador where the floors were just wood. The classrooms consisted of only desks for the students and teacher, a chalkboard and lights. The bathroom never had soap nor toilet paper. This can be very shocking, but you get used to it, you just do. You learn to adapt. Remember that your stay in Ecuador is one to appreciate. You will have your days of sadness for everything that you know back home, but the time is short and when you are back at home you’ll have your days of sadness because you aren’t in your host country. Try and appreciate every second of what precious time you do have, because I’m already back ‘home’ and would do anything to be able to experience what i did back in Ecuador, all the good and bad things. (K.C., Year Program, 2007)
- As far as school goes, I suggest public and study at least a little. I recommend giving public school a try, unless you’re trying to actually get credit for the year. I didn’t learn much in my subjects, as what they were teaching I had mostly learned freshman and sophomore year in the US, but the friends I made were amazing. As well, public schools show the reality of the educational system in Ecuador, and the average teenager. Also, I suggest actually doing the schoolwork. Most exchange students won’t, but you will be much more accepted and respected if you do, and you’ll make friends much faster. It probably won’t be that hard either, after a month or so, and it will help improve your language skills as well. (Mary, Year Program, 2007)