La Carta Category: Ecuador

When you google the word “microenterprise,” you might get a lot about startups and small companies. However, when you travel to Latin America with AMIGOS, microenterprise takes on a completely new definition. In rural communities, microenterprises are business endeavors started by the community, for the community. Typically, these are family run, allowing one or two … Read More

Imagine yourself hiking through the snowy peaks of Mt. Chimborazo, Ecuador during an excursion break on your AMIGOS Gap Year. You’re taking in the beautiful views when you see something move out of the corner of your eye. Is it an alpaca? Maybe a llama? It’s probably a vicuña! But… What’s that? Vicuñas are members … Read More

There is a bridge that I cross 4 times a day to go to work that always makes me smile when I walk over it. In front of me, I can see the city of Cuenca spanning in every direction, beautiful mountains lining the horizon in the distance, and a sky that seems so close … Read More

Although I don’t like to admit it, I’m the kind of person who likes to have things figured out. Ever since I was in middle school, my favorite subjects were science and math because there was never any ambiguity. Two plus two equals four. There is no grey area. The comfort I have in certainty … Read More

We caught up with Max, a student at Tufts University who joined our Gap Program in Cuenca, Ecuador for the 2017-18 school year. Here, he shares his experience. On choosing a gap year The Tufts 1+4 program opened the door for me. From there, I thought the opportunity to improve my Spanish and experience the … Read More

Like an idiot, I came to Ecuador carrying expectations. Last August I looked ahead and saw “cool traveler adventurer Audrey,” the girl that could solve any problem. The girl that could speak fluent Spanish, change the world with her art, maybe even has a cool haircut. Independent, strong, and a citizen of the world: I … Read More

I have had more adventures in the last few weeks in Ecuador than in the last few years of my life. I have been to the mountains, the beach, and the rainforest. I have traveled across water, over mountains, and on highways with nothing between me and the horizon. Waterfalls as tall as skyscrapers rain … Read More

In Pilapuchín, a community of 400 tucked high in the Ecuadorian Andes, the local equivalent of the PTA does not get a summer break. As I stood up to address the group in the school courtyard, I could feel the eyes of the fedora-clad locals on me. There I was, thousands of miles away from … Read More

Last month, AMIGOS staff visited Ecuador to check in with the Gap Program in Cuenca, visit with partner agencies, talk to host families, and chat with gap participants. Here are some photos from their trip!   There are still spots available for our Gap Year and Semester Program in Cuenca, Ecuador for the 2018-19 school … Read More

TOUCHING THE SKY By Alyssa Kurke, American University   Alyssa is one of nine students from American University’s Community-Based Research Scholars program who traveled to Cuenca, Ecuador this January. The trip, led by AMIGOS and American University staff, focused on multicultural collaboration, service learning, and models of asset-based community development. Students visited AMIGOS partner organizations, … Read More