Student Notes and Experiences:
There can definitely be culture shock in Ecuador. You can easily live without understanding Spanish, since many of the educated northerners know English, but expect there to be problems with the language barrier.
I truly feel Quito, Ecuador is the best place in the world to study abroad! Where else can you be a short bus ride away from beaches, mountains, cloud forests, volcanoes and jungles? I had the time of my life and will never forget all of the unbelievable adventures I had! Not to mention, my Spanish improved by 100%. I feel comfortable talking to native speakers now. There was also a great and really helpful month-long orientation before the fall semester that informed me of everything I would need to know about Ecuador. This program also included a lot of excursions such as the Amazon rain forest, Otavalo Market, and the Galapagos Islands. I can't wait to go back!
-Lindsay Norton, studied in Quito Fall 2009
