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The Ecuador SST unit kicked off their first few days in Quito.
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Ecuador
This blog captures the experiences of Goshen College students participating in Study-Service Term in Ecuador.
Over the course of the semester, students are living with host families, strengthening their Spanish, learning alongside Indigenous communities, and engaging in service that connects local realities with global questions. From the Andes to coastal regions, Ecuador offers a powerful setting for hands-on learning shaped by culture, community, and care. Through these reflections, readers are invited into the everyday moments, challenges, and discoveries that are shaping how students understand the world and their place within it.
Study AbroadFirst Days in Ecuador
Study AbroadThe Students Have Arrived!
Students in the spring 2026 Ecuador SST unit arrived safely to Quito.
Study AbroadOff To a Strong Start in Ecuador
The Ecuador SST leaders arrived in Quito and preparations for the unit are underway.
Study AbroadMeet our Ecuador SST Leaders
Jan Kauffman and Kristin Waltner will lead the spring 2026 SST unit to Ecuador.
Study AbroadWhat Mindo Taught Me to See
Since being stationed in the town of Mindo for my service portion of SST, I’ve noticed a big cultural difference between U.S. Mennonites and Ecuadorian “Mindo-nites” – pun intended 🙂 approaches to life. There’s a palpable sense of serenity and…
Study AbroadA Day in the Life: Working on a Flower Farm
For my service, I work in Cayambe with an organization called FACE. Under FACE there are other organizations; Casa Hogar, Sumak, Centro Medico Emmanuel, and Forever Flowers. They work together to help break the cycle of abuse and neglect in…
- Study Abroad
Where Art Meets History
While being in Ecuador, I’ve noticed how people value their history. It was so impressive and inspiring to see how much they know about their history. They’re not afraid to share it, even through their art. During my first weekend…
Study AbroadFestivities of Pujilí
During my first week in my service placement town of Pujilí, I attended 4 different parades. The first one was on my second day here! I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I knew that we were going to…
- Study Abroad
Reforesting Ecuador: Small Steps, Lasting Impact
I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of a service organization in Ecuador that aligns with my interests and has been a lot of fun. The mission of my assignment is to combat deforestation in Ecuador. Throughout my time here,…
Study AbroadA Work Trip to La Maná
After the first six weeks in Quito, I had become more accustomed to the culture here and my Spanish had improved as well. I was able to understand what was going on around me most of the time and I…
- Study Abroad
Visit with the Basquitay Community and Ingapirca ruins
We were so fortunate to meet Maria Virginia Farinango, the author of The Queen of Water. Students read this book together for class discussions. She writes of her experiences as an indigenous child forced into domestic service. Her path to…
Study AbroadMaking Food Kits in Cayembe
Cayambe, a smaller city in Ecuador, is surrounded by indigenous communities spread throughout the surrounding mountains. Casa Hogar is an organization in Cayambe that houses children who have been removed from their families for varying reasons. The main goal of…
Study AbroadAppreciating the Natural Beauty of Ecuador – Without my Phone
My experience in Ecuador has very likely been different from that of every other SST’er here. Yes, we took the same classes and went on the same trips. One of these included a few days in the town of Mindo…
- Study Abroad
Feeding Strays – Empathy in Everyday Encounters
One of the things I’ve noticed in Mindo, my service placement, is the overwhelming number of mixed-breed dogs. While many of them are undeniably adorable, their growing numbers are a direct result of a serious underlying issue; almost none of…
Study AbroadLa Familia
In Latin American culture, family is a core value rooted in one’s identity. Family is not limited to immediate family members, but also expands to extended families as well. One cannot include one without the other, as they are whole…
- Study Abroad
My First Quinceañera
One major experience I had during my study term of SST was being a part of my host sister’s quinceañera. I was originally asked to be part of her quinceañera the first weekend that I spent with my host family.…
Study AbroadDia de Las Madres
This past weekend our host families celebrated Mother’s Day in style, with flowers, outings and cakes! Many of our students met extended family: grandmothers and aunts, as this is a grand celebration in Ecuador. We had our own little party…
- Study Abroad
Environmental Action in Mindo
This week was our first group excursion to Mindo, a town about 2 hours outside of Quito. The beauty of nature came alive in our visits to the Tarabita waterfalls and the Alambi hummingbird sanctuary. Klever Guevara, our Ecuador country…
Study AbroadOur First Week
It has been a week of new experiences in every aspect of our lives! Before the students joined their host families, there was a spontaneous, and very moving rendition of the hymn “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow.” With…
Study AbroadÚltima Semana – Last Week in Quito
Students visited the museum and home of Oswaldo Guayasamín, one of Ecuador’s famous artists. Then as part of the celebration for the end of the Study portion, students had a Salsa dance lesson, which is a typical dance in Ecuador!…
Study AbroadBaños and Amazonia
There are always two sides to every story. On one hand, we enjoyed the beautiful views of the Amazon and the enormous Napo River, and got completely soaked by waterfalls! On the other hand, we visited an exotic animal refuge…
Study AbroadEncounters of Culture and Compassion
Delicious ceviche really isn’t that hard to make! Cut up onions, tomatoes, cilantro for the base, add your protein, and even sprinkle some popcorn on top! Our teachers spent the morning with us at the farmer’s market, and then Noemi…
- Study Abroad
Orientation begins!
The students arrived Wednesday night and we made it to Casa de Espiritualidad, our retreat and orientation center by 2:00 a.m. It was a short night, but we were ready to go by 9:30 the next morning. Visiting the Historical...
- Study Abroad
Arts, Festivals, and Friendships in Cayambe
The process of Making Stain Glass Hummingbird: During my time in Ecuador, I got the opportunity to learn and create 4 different types of stained glass hummingbirds. I learned how to cut glass, wrap it in this copper foil, and...
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