La Carta Category: Ecuador

By Sydney Rubin Change is overwhelming; joining another family’s pre-existing routines is awkward. There’s lots of uncertainty: Where should I do my homework, how often should I help in the kitchen, how do I explain my conviction to vegetarianism (in a foreign language) to a family that loves to eat meat? How late is it … Read More

By Luke Petrosky Before I embarked on this gap year journey, I received advice from others telling me to come into this experience without expectations. This advice was not meant to prevent me from establishing goals for myself or looking forward to aspects of the new culture; rather, it was a mindset intended to inspire … Read More

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