After a few days of class in Quito we took off for the north, arriving to the beautiful city of Otavalo in the province of Imbabura for several days. Here is a short clip of some of the music...
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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.
Global EducationOtavalo Artisan Markets & Cuicocha
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Landslides in Quito
We continue individually and as a group to process the tragedy of the landslides in Quito that occurred last week not far from some of our host families and in a neighborhood that we have, on a couple occasions, passed through...
- Global Education
Culture, Cuisine & Más Clase
Global EducationMindo Cloud Forest
After a couple of normal days of class, we made our way through the mountains to the northwest region of the Pichincha province where we explored the amazing cloud forest. We are bringing last weeks’ historical context with us as...
- Global Education
First Week of Classes & Centro Histórico
Time is flying by and students are settling into a new rhythm here in Quito between classes and a new life with their host families. The omicron wave is beginning here in Ecuador and we’re continuing to make adjustments as...
Global EducationWelcome SSTers! Orientation & Host Families
Welcome to Quito! We are so pleased and honored to welcome 15 new students to this beautiful country of Ecuador. And welcome to you, who may be following along and supporting our journey from afar. We had an absolutely fantastic...
Global EducationRetreat Weekend – El Refugio
Global EducationHomes in Unexpected Places – Ebtihal
Today was a different day here in Salinas de Guaranda (Salinas for short). It was sunny and beautiful unlike the usual rainy weather we have been getting. I was really excited to know what I will be doing today since...
- Global Education
Service in Mindo – Lily
Mindo, where my service portion of SST is located, is between the descent from the Andes to the coast. It is one of Ecuador’s most biodiverse places with birdwatching being one of the well-known activities. It is two hours away...
- Global Education
Visiting Students at their Service Placements
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Life in Pedro Vicente Maldonado – Solomon
My service location is in Pedro Vicente Maldonado, a small city about 2 and a half hours drive from Quito in the coastal region of Ecuador. However, the coast is still quite a ways away. To Esmeraldas, the closest coastal...
Global EducationMilking Cows in Cayambe – Yadira
Cayambe, a very beautiful town in Ecuador that’s 1hr and a half away from the capital of Quito. Cayambe is also the third highest volcano in Ecuador, and not only that, it’s also right in the middle of the earth....
Global EducationDía de los Muertos – Daniel
My day began unlike any other I had experienced at Salinas de Guaranda. After a simple breakfast of a boiled egg and tea, I struck out for yet another day of burning music for the local radio station. But I...
- Global Education
Tena, Baños & Salinas de Guaranda
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Despedida and Goodbye to Study
We had a good final week of classes, wrapping up the “study” portion of the term that makes up our Study-Service term namesake. On Friday evening the students hosted all the host families and other program partners for a despedida,...
- Global Education
Ecuador — Lengua De Señas
As a part of her SST experience, Amanda has been involved in a special sign language track here in Ecuador in which she has been dividing her morning class time between learning spanish and sign language. Beyond her individual class...
- Global Education
World Renown Markets & Indigenous Peoples of Ecuador
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Dancing and Prancing through the Andes
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Mindo Cloud Forest
This week after a couple days of class we made the trek west through the mountains to the region of Mindo for an extended weekend. The lush cloud forest was a refreshing break from the congested concrete valley of Quito.
- Global Education
Orientation, Host Families and the First Week
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:
Global EducationWelcome SSTers!
On Tuesday evening our SSTers arrived safely in Ecuador and are beginning their orientation to their new Ecuador surroundings! One student has been held up by visa issues. We are working hard to remedy the problem and plans are taking shape...
Global EducationEcuador, Here We Come!
Yep, you got it, we’re back! For all of you who forgot you were subscribed, get ready, we’ve got a new adventure coming your way! After more than a year and half of Study-Service Term (SST) unit cancelations we...
Global EducationService, Pandemics, and “El Refugio”
What is “Service”. The concept of service in a North American context generally revolves around productivity. In our lead-up to service with the current Ecuador SST group, we spoke at length about what service is and is not in a...
- Global Education
The Long Silence is Broken…..
If you’ve been checking the Ecuador blog for updates over the past two weeks you’ve been met with silence…. at least internet blog silence. The final two weeks of the study portion of Spring 2020 SST have been a blur...
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