My first educational experience abroad was a two week January Term 2017 with the American Institute for Foreign Studies (AIFS) to Ecuador and the Galapagos. Having a lot of travel experience with my family and independently, my plan was to carry my political and social justice knowledge to a different landscape. I studied geological and environmental relations at Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ). The sessions were divided into class lectures and field trips. In class teachings were scheduled for a minimum of three hours. The day trips included hiking on rocky coasts, snorkeling in the deep sea, and visualizing the archipelago’s history.
Starting School in a new Country
I was anxious but excited to go to school in a different education system. I made my mark by walking into the campus of a private university, and building friendships with my classmates and professor. I brought two guidelines that helped me control my nerves.
Having a plan
Every time before I have my travel logistics laid out, I do a little research on the life styles of the country I chose to travel to. It allows me to create a plan as I adjust to new life styles. As the trip goes on, I observe the differences closely and use the strategies that I implemented to ensure that I am prepared.
Knowing your classmates
Getting to know my peers from different regions in the United States was extremely significant. It not only showed how much I cared about them, but how my social interactions have improved over the years.
Galapagos: San Cristobal
The first island I visited in the Galapagos was San Cristobal, the fifth largest island in the Archipelago. The extension campus o USFQ is right across the beach. During break time, my classmates and I spent time at the beach. Dipping my feet in the sand, I was less than five feet away from the sea lions. Wandering by the tides, I saw sea creatures come out and birds land on the rails. It gave me a visual analysis on the scenery of organisms obtaining their own land.
Staying in San Cristobal for a week, myself and a friend in the group lived with a host-family. It was an opportunity to practice my Spanish. My elementary level of speaking the language was sufficient. Being able to introduce myself and say my favorite things, I have incorporated brief descriptions about the people I lived with.
Daniel: Daniel es el hijo de Ruben y Isabel. Es muy simpatico, deportista, inteligente, y paciente. Le gusta jugar videojuegos, jugar al futbol y pasar tiempo con sus amigos.
Ruben: Ruben es el esposo de Isabel. Es simpatico, ordenado, trabajador, y divertido. Le gusta ir de pescar, jugar al voliebol, y tomar el sol.
Isabel: Isabel es la esposa de Ruben. Es simpatico, talentosa, y bonita. Le gusta cocinar, pasar tiemp con su familia y bailar
Patrick: Patrick es mi amigo y fue mi compañera durante el viaje. El estudios de ingeniería biomédica en la Universidad de Miami en Ohio. Él es de Chicago y le gustan los cachorros, Blackhawks, toros y osos.
Galapagos: Santa Cruz
Following the completion of the course Ecosystems and Biodiversity, the excursion began with a boat ride to Santa Cruz, the second largest island in the Galapagos. Exploring the cooperation of humans and animals lead to exhibiting how Charles Darwins scientific accomplishments impact the past an present times. Aside from glaring at the animal bones, I got to feed a non-talkative donkey at a farm. Proceeding to the coffee factory, I saw how farmers make sweet drinks in a firing pot.
Quito, Ecuador
Flying back to Quito for the last three days of the trip, I slept at the same hotel. Stepping away from biological investigations, it was time to tour captivating artifacts. The pottery designs were intriguing with facial expressions, molded containers, and glassed windows that were directly across from other exhibitions. Moving to the art of geography, I accomplished a new milestone. That was reaching the equator. Walking on the line, the challenge was to maintain balance without falling off. It was like shifting side to side on the blade of a ropes course.
Traveling to South America for the first time was an incredible adventure in countless ways. Being blown away by the civilization of wildlife, I learned that the way you play anything counts the most.
David Sharif 