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Goshen College

Orientation, Host Families and the First Week

September 11, 2021

Orientation and the first week of class are already behind us! Wow, we’ve already covered a lot of ground! I think everyone felt like the time has flown by.  Here is a glimpse of the story in pictures:

Orientation breakfast at our partner organization la Fundación Sobrevivencia Cofán. FSC is a non-profit organization that works to preserve and fight for indigenous rights of the Cofán peoples. The Cofán are among the oldest surviving indigenous cultures in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Orientation session over coffee and humitas, a good change of pace after a tough hike in the park.
The group at the Fundación ready to start the day..
We’re getting to know the bus routes and city geography slowly but surely. This bus isn’t full yet… just wait until rush hour.
Snacks!!
We finished orientation week on a high note with delicious pizza overlooking historic Guapulo which we will visit during the day very soon. (see following pics)
Daniel was first to be picked up bright and early. His host family whisked him away for a full day of celebration for a friend’s baptism.
Yadira was next in line, as her hosts came to pick her up! She lives the closest of the group to the Fundación. At the end of this week she said she was getting more used to the steep hill she climbs every day up to class.
Lily was soon to follow with her host family pick up. They had a great first weekend.
After being sick the first weekend, Solomon joined up with his host family on Monday.
After a long week of back and forth with the Ecuadorian consulate in Chicago, Ebtihal arrived late Saturday night here to Quito. She is spending her first weekend with her host family this weekend.
Amanda with her host family Miguel and Guadalupe
Bienvenidos a Casa Goshen! Sector Los Laureles, Quito. Look us up on the map!
Eating lunch on the roof of Casa Goshen. They soon retreated downstairs when the rain began.
Celebrating Daniel’s birthday over ice cream con queso.
Students in spanish class with profesora María Teresa. We had 4 mornings of spanish class this week.
Yadira was working on her independent project during her mornings this week and will continue to do so through this half of the term. Here she is in action with her mentor profesora Silvia. We’ll have her share in the upcoming weeks what she’s up to 🙂
Casa Goshen group reflection time.
We visited Nayón thursday, a beautiful little town just outside of Quito. On this side of the mountain the climate is ideal to make this city known for it’s greenhouses. Each student bought some plants to take back to their host families.
Outside the historic Guapulo church.
Ebtihal climbing up to the roof of the Guapulo church.
Lily taking in the sun and breeze on the roof of Guapulo Church.
Jonathon Minchala presenting a lecture on liberation theology and indigenous spirituality with Nina translating.
Carlos Landazuri, one of Nina’s professors from la Universidad Andina presenting an overview of the history of ecuador to students.
La Basilica
Foto time! Stairs led us up to a high 360 degree lookout at the top of the basilica.
Students exploring the Presidential Plaza. The building on the right is where the President works. Ecuador just elected a new president back in May of this year.