I came to Ecuador with 3 goals: improve my Spanish, work in a hospital & get to know Quito. I was able to accomplish all 3 goals. My entire experience in Quito Ecuador has been excellent & that is thanks to the Spanish professors, the hospital staff & my host family.
How was the local ABV Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country?
The local Coordinator and staff were extremely helpful & answered all the questions I had. They even came and met me at the airport at 2AM. (Avoid doing that, arrive before 10pm)
What was the most surprising thing you experienced?
Drivers in Quito have the right of way over pedestrians (be careful)
The sun is much stronger in Ecuador because of the altitude. I got sun burnt, very quickly.
What is the most challenging thing you experienced?
For me the most challenging think I experienced was learning Spanish after having learned Portuguese. It was, at times, difficult to distinguish the two.
Any tips for future volunteers….(clothing, travel, personal items, donations)
- Make sure you check the weather before you travel.
- Come with an open mind and open heart & everything should go extremely well
- Come without expectations because the experience will be unlike anything you’ve probably done. Just be flexible with your time & just enjoy all that Quito has to offer.
Personal Paragraph about the experience (ABV Program Testimonial)
I came to Ecuador with 3 goals: improve my Spanish, work in a hospital & get to know Quito. I was able to accomplish all 3 goals. My entire experience in Quito Ecuador has been excellent & that is thanks to the Spanish professors, the hospital staff & my host family.
How would you describe your accommodations, meals, security, friendliness, quality others:
Everything was excellent!
What was your favorite memory of this trip?
Sitting in the living room with my host family and playing card games like Uno, El Bueno and Cuarenta.
How was the ABV USA support prior to traveling?
Support was good, and all the information (aside from hospital uniforms) was more that sufficient.
What do you think about the online reservation system?
The reservation system is good; having the deadline reminders was helpful and I liked the flexibility about choosing traveling dates.
Who did you find Abroaderview website (keywords, search engine, recommendation)
My parents found the program online, and we liked all that we saw on the website.
Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?
Yes.
