Talk to Locals.

You will be eating at new places, walking new streets, and traveling to new places. Take advantage of every trip and every chance you get to talk to people. I have had some of the best conversations with my taxi drivers about Cuenca, places to visit, and about their work. Walking down the street I’ve stopped to talk to people who ask about my knee injury and I learn about injuries they’ve had and how their experience was in the health system. I talk to waiters and restaurant owners to learn about new places to visit and new food to try! From the beginning of my trip, I have made great connections, as I shared in my first blog, I now have friends across Ecuador who have helped me see their country through their own eyes. I’ve always believed that “cada cabeza es un mundo” so what better way to experience more than traveling through people’s stories.

Treat yourself.

Being abroad means that you don’t have much control over what happens from day to day. You don’t have the busy schedule from back home full of club meetings and work shifts, plus classes. So how you use your spare time will impact your time! Go out and get some comfort food from home, do something for yourself, and don’t hold back. You’re only here for a short time and if you want to try something or get that full body massage at the spa, do it! Traveling somewhere new can be overwhelming, add a class schedule and a host family, you must remember that you are a priority. Recognize when you need a break when your emotionally and/or physically exhausted and treat yourself. Your well being is a priority and that means putting yourself first!

Continue to do you and speak-up!

Just because you’re in a new country, staying with a host family, studying in a program like CEDEI doesn’t mean that you can’t change things. If your getting coffee every morning but you never drink coffee, speak up and say you would prefer tea or milk or juice, you’ll be surprised how something so small can honestly impact your day. If you are used to a certain diet you don’t have to give it up just because you’re worried that you’re not experiencing the culture. Nonsense, you’re still your person and you know what you want, you must validate that. Classes are very different from a college setting and that also takes time to adjust to. If you’re in a class where it’s just you and the professor, you are granted a lot of flexibility which can be difficult at first. Most of our classes are small considering we are only 19 students taking a variety of different classes so talk to each other and the teacher if things aren’t working out. You can make your experience what you want it to be, just take positive action!