Overseas program(s):
Ecuador Spring 2016
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Syncretism Post - Since arriving in Ecuador, I have often been confused about the seemingly conflicting narratives that exist between anti-colonial identity and Catholicism. I often feel as though my presence in Cuenca, as a gringa, is viewed through a colonial lens. The obvious power dynamic of me, coming from a “core” country to study in what some […]
Ethnocentrism Assignment - The topic of “ethnocentrism,” looms large in my life and thoughts here in Ecuador. Daily, I struggle to rationalize my emotions and visceral responses to the culture shock I experience while traveling in South America. I try to take into consideration how my presence, as a citizen of the United States living temporarily in Ecuador, […]
Culture Shock Post - When I arrived in Quito at the beginning of this program, I was prepared to be immediately confronted with so-called “culture shock.” However, I didn’t have this immediate response, probably because we were traveling in a group of very similar “extranjeros,” and so the full effect of this phenomenon was buffered. However, once I arrived […]
Pre-Departure Thoughts - I am beyond excited to be able to travel to Ecuador next spring! I am also becoming increasingly nervous as the reality of the difficulties will be. I am sure that the first month in particular will be scary, because I still don’t feel extremely confident in my Spanish, and the cultural differences will be […]