Student Profiles
Scott observes giant tortoises in Santa Cruz, one of the Galapagos Islands.
You have four years to study on campus! Going abroad is the most you will learn about your life during your college career.”
Scott Silver
Scott’s majors: Environmental Management and Spanish
Term abroad: Fall 2009
Reason you chose this program: Ecuador has a high indigenous population and few English speakers.
Favorite classes: The Environment of Ecuador and Literature of the Andes
Decribe the housing situation: I lived with a host family in the city of Quito and had an amazing view of the city and of the volcano, Cotopaxi. My host family was lovely. I became very close with Marcelo, my host father, Maria, my host mother, and Diana, my host sister. They took me on various trips to their country villa where we chatted and I explored their beautiful gardens.
Best Memory: Climbing 19,000 feet (the highest point from the center of the earth) to the peak of Cotopaxi with good friends from Norway and England, and two Ecuadorian guides.
Biggest Surprise: How easy the Ecuadorian accent is to understand.
Experience with culture shock or reverse culture shock: I didn't have any. I love adventure!
Complete this sentence: If I could do it over, I would... have stayed for an academic year.
What you know now that you didn't know before going abroad: I want to live in South America.
What I wish I knew before I left: A bit more Spanish could have been useful. However, you will learn fast.
Greatest Challenge: Coming home!
Fact about your host country that you think people would be surprised to learn: Ecuador has beaches, mountains, volcanoes, and the Amazon rainforest. It has one of the highest biodiversities of plants and animals in the world.
