mi vida en ecuador: Reflections

So, I thought for my last entry about Ecuador ,I would reflect back on my time there and try to capture it as best as possible. To do that, I have placed below my responses to the questions our dield Directors posed to us at End of Service, in addition to a list of things that I will miss about Ecuador. Enjoy!

My host family and me!

End of Service Questions:

1. What was your most memorable experience with WT, and why?
I wish I could pick one most memorable experience here in Ecuador, but that would be impossible. I have different favorite memories with my co-volunteers, with my students, and with myself, learning more about another culture, challenging myself, and growing in so many different ways. I would have to highlight, though, all the many times my students showed me kindness and just gave me all of their love and gratitude. I have never been so humbled, so often, in my life. They bestowed presents upon me, invited me to their homes, took me on day trips, and showed me every day a sincere interest not only in learning English, but in me and my life as well. They went above and beyond. For example, when my dad came to visit from the US, they prepared “Welcome to Ecuador” presentations, complete with costumes, food, props, and audio/visual aids. My dad could not believe their efforts, and it was so special for me to share not only my teaching experience, but also my pride in my students, with him. Then they surprised my dad with some Ecuadorian gifts to take back home with him! Again, their generosity continued and it was I that felt so thankful to be a part of their lives. They are such loving people, and I hope they will remain a part of my life when this experience is over.

2. How would you describe your students? What do they respond to? What do they like? What motivates them? What motivates you to return to their classroom?
Amazing!! My students have been by far the worst rewarding aspect of my WT experience. They have become my best friends and such a source of support and comfort. They also have a wonderful sense of community in the class, always planning dinners, field trips, and class parties. There is such a feeling of mutual respect in the classroom, and they all encourage each other on a daily basis. They are motivated by a strong desire to learn English, but also because they have helped to create a fun class environment in which they enjoy learning and spending time with one another. They in turn motivate me with their enthusiasm, determination, and never-ending generosity.

3. What is the most interesting thing you learned about yourself through this experience?
I learned that I could go to a new place, not knowing anyone, and make it on my own. I have gained so much self-confidence this year, knowing that I have lived abroad in a developing country, dealing with all its daily frustrations and annoyances. But because of that, I know that I can now live anywhere, travel to any place, and in both situations find happiness and find a home.

4. What did you find most surprising about the program, the country, or your teaching role? What have you learned from this experience?
I think I am most surprised from the relationships I have gained throughout this experience. I have made friends with my host family, people in the community, neighbors, shop owners, cafe waiters, and especially with my students and co-volunteers. I had been so sad leaving behind my family and my best friends in the States. And though my loved ones from home remain as important to me as ever, if not more so, I have also learned how many loving, generous, and fun people there are the entire world over. Though we come from different cultures, speak different languages, listen to different music, and eat different food, people everywhere share more similarities than differences when it comes to what really matters. I hope that is a lesson that I will always keep fresh on my mind.

5. What was most difficult for you in this experience? How did you meet the challenge?
Living with my host family was my biggest challenge this past year. I was not only my family’s first volunteer, but after raising three sons, I was my parents' first daughter as well. It was an extremely hard adjustment having to report to someone, answer to a million questions whenever I came home from somewhere, constantly struggling with pressure to eat, and especially always having eyes on me. Privacy was a very foreign concept. I eventually learned that my happiness should be a priority, and that it is okay to stand up for myself, as long as I do so in a polite manner. I also realized that I should not feel guilty spending time alone in my room away from my family, not finishing all my food, or confronting my family if I had a serious concern. That all took time, though, so on a daily basis what really got me though was a lot of patience and a focus on the big picture instead of trivialities.

6. What was most rewarding for you in this experience? Was it what you thought would be rewarding?
Sorry to mention it for the 10^th time, but again I found my students to be the most rewarding aspect of my experience. I just never imagined what a reciprocally beneficial relationship it would become- me teaching them and them all giving me back so much of themselves in return. I thought the teaching itself, actually conveying the grammar and tenses, would be the most rewarding- seeing them progress from no English to conversational English. And though of course that was very rewarding, and something I will definitely treasure, it does not compare to the friendship and memories that my students have given me.

7. What sort of qualities do you think are important for WT volunteer teachers to have?
Patience, flexibility, a sense of adventure, a desire to challenge oneself and to live outside one’s comfort zone, and probably most importantly, a love for long bus rides!

8.What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying to be a WT volunteer?
-On a daily basis life in a developing country can be very trying, but the overall experience is more valuable than you can imagine, probably on account of those difficult moments.
-Do not expect to make your best friends in the first few weeks. Making good friends with other volunteers and people in your community takes time, but it will happen without you even realizing it.
-Do not expect to return home completely fluent in your new language. Becoming fluent takes a lot of outside effort and does not happen by osmosis. You will definitely build vocabulary and confidence speaking, but the rest comes on account of individual effort.
-A year is no time at all. I remember being so worried that I would miss out on precious time with family and friends. Home is still there, and yet I have had this incredible experience that will remain with me always. Trust me that a year just flies by!

The 75 Things I Will Miss Most About Ecuador: