Overall Reflection

My last day of International Student Teaching! 

It is hard to believe that my time spent in Ecuador has finally come to an end. I will be flying out tonight and will be back home early tomorrow morning. I have faced many challenges while here, but I have enjoyed every second of my trip and it has only allowed me to grow as an individual! I will forever cherish the memories made while at Colegio Menor and while in Ecuador.

Before coming I knew that the language barrier would be difficult for me. Although there were still many times that I was unaware what was being spoken or what I agreed or disagreed with, I still managed to keep an open mind and never shut down. I relied heavily on my translator app, which was very helpful! The first-grade students helped me learn important words that they thought I should know one including ice cream! As I was helping students learn, I was in return learning just as much.

Throughout my experience in Ecuador I have learned that it is always best to keep an open mind. Not everything will be able to go your way and you will not always agree or like what is placed in front of you, but at the same time that is simply life. By keeping an open mind while here it has made it easier for me to accept what surrounds me.

I am beyond blessed to have had the opportunity to travel while still pursuing a college degree that I had always dreamed of receiving. Although saying goodbye to the sweet first-graders that I knew for such a short period was difficult, I look forward to returning home to wrap up a very important chapter in my life. I hope that others have the opportunity to teach abroad, so they can experience the impact it has like I did!

Now it is time to graduate! See you soon, Kentucky!

My last day at Colegio Menor!