Today is "reading day" aka the day that I should study for all those finals. Instead, I decided to create a blog, listen to Spanish música, and read other students' blogs about going to USFQ and traveling in Ecuador.
I have arranged and rearranged my class schedule, told everyone I'm leaving, got my visa, listened to all the Mana I can handle, and spent hours thinking about how the heck people are going to understand me. The scariest thing about studying in Ecuador is not being competent in Spanish. It pains me to think I've "studied" Spanish since junior high school, and I'm don't know everything a Spanish-speaking 1st grader knows. (Although I know what el subjunctivo means.)
Despite my Spanish-speaking speaking anxiety, I hope to learn more about myself, make friends with estudiantes Ecuatorianos, get good grades, not get too homesick, get involved in a lot of activities, travel, and volunteer. My ultimate goal is to immerse myself as much as possible to come back with a greater understanding of la cultura Ecuatoriana y la lengua.
On this blog, I hope to post pictures, my travels, and thoughts, which serve to communicate with you as well as help me reflect on my experience. I have no idea how much I'll post, but I'll try as best as I can; I may not have frequent internet access or much time. Wish me luck on my journey. My next post will be from the middle of the world!
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Valerie,
ReplyDeleteI am so proud of you. It will be a great adventure. I lived in Ireland for a year when I was 20. It was a great experience but I did not have the language barrier. I can't wait to hear about your adventurers.
Aunt Sue
Estoy segura de que vas a aprovechar de tu experiencia ecuatoriana. Que te vaya bien!!
ReplyDeleteLeslie
Val,
ReplyDelete¡Buen viaje! Ojalá que yo pudiera viajar contigo.
Cuídate y tú y yo podemos charlar tan pronto como regreses.
Un abrazo fuerte,
Tía Mary Ellen