When I was first searching for an overseas program, Ecuador was not the first location to stand out to me on the list. Yes, I wanted to speak spanish, but I did not necessarily think I would want to go to South America. I had romanticized a fulfilling semester studying in the beautiful Spain or possibly rural Mexico. However, after visiting the overseas office, I knew that the Cuenca program was for me. The main studies of the program were not necessarily the draw…the piece solidifying my decision laid in the way Sierra, a member of the overseas office, talked about her experience on the trip. When I asked her what she thought of the program, her eyes widened and she took on a certain glow that I knew could only come from the amazing events that occurred on her abroad trip. She went on to describe fantastic events that I had imaged for my study abroad experience all along, just had never imagined would occur in Ecuador. My excitement grew at the knowledge that I was going to have an opportunity to travel to Cuenca and partake in the many experiences I had envisioned for the spring of my junior year. From that moment on, Ecuador was the only location on my radar for my trip abroad.
For more information on Lewis & Clark Overseas & Off-Campus Programs, visit our website.