Traveling. Teaching. Learning.

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 ...

This past weekend I traveled to Banos, Ecuador; which is almost four hours away from Quito. I went with other WKU students and we took a bus early Saturday morning. We had a very adventurous weekend swinging, zip lining, and enjoying delicious food and coffee! We stayed overnight in Banos before heading back to Cumbaya Sunday evening. Here in Ecuador we had a four-day weekend, so we had plenty of time to rest and venture out in Cumbaya and Quito! Casa del Arbol (Swing at the End of the World!)  My time in Ecuador has flown by and I have enjoyed learning and living the culture that is found here. One thing that I have still not gotten used to is greeting everyone with a hug and kiss on the cheek.   When this first occurred, I was caught off guard and I was not prepared for it. Students at school also love to touch you and they also greet you with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Although this does not happen in schools in the US, it is accepted here and parents wan...