La Carta Category: Gap Program

Written by Natalie K., a Gap Program Volunteer in Cuenca, Ecuador Life here feels natural, I am comfortably settled into my routine, my internship and my family. When I walk around the city, I no longer feel like a clueless gringa, I feel I know my place and purpose here. I obviously still have moments … Read More

Written by Cuenca, Ecuador Gap Volunteer Aidan T. A Feast with Family Last week my host family took me to my mom’s sister’s house. It was on the outskirts of the city and they had a decent chunk of land along with a full chicken coop and several ducks. As soon as we arrived we … Read More

Written by Cuenca, Ecuador Gap Volunteer Luke P. It was going to be perfect. All of the ingredients were laid out before us. The best recipe was ready and waiting. Research on needed adjustments due to the altitude were noted on a piece of paper. Together, my host family, Ellen, and I were going to … Read More

Written by Cuenca, Ecuador Gap Volunteer Sydney R. Recently I had a conversation with my host sister Mary about how as a child, she was never bored. She was out playing on the streets from the moment she got home from school until dinner time, with all of the neighborhood kids. She and her friends … Read More

Cuenca, Ecuador Gap Volunteer Nora S. shares her experience adjusting to a totally new location and lifestyle and how she overcame the challenges she encountered in the process. September Three days ago marked my month long journey here in Cuenca. The beginning week was one of the hardest challenges I’ve ever had to overcome. That … Read More

Written by Cuenca, Ecuador Gap Volunteer Luke P. Public transportation was something very new to me when I arrived in Cuenca. Spending the majority of my childhood in a small town in western Massachusetts, I was not often faced with the challenge of navigating the tricky systems of public transportation. My first few days living … Read More

Cuenca, Ecuador Gap Volunteer David H. shares his experience in Ecuador each month from September through November, 2019. September Since I have been in Cuenca, I’ve joined a soccer league, dressed up like a bear and danced at a festival, and tried typical Ecuadorian cuisine such as cuy (guinea pig). As exciting as these specific … Read More

By Sophie Zeigler, parent of current AMIGOS Gap Uruguay volunteer Reed. Sophie will be visiting Reed next month in Uruguay to see the beautiful city of Montevideo from his perspective!   It was late August, a couple of weeks before my son Reed’s departure for Uruguay, and I was feeling remarkably pleased with myself for … Read More

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 Colin Yeo Coming from a background of studying theater design and production, I was very lucky to be assigned Aracely as my host mom. Aracely is incredibly passionate about Carnaval. Uruguay has a rich Carnaval culture, with rehearsals happening throughout the months leading into Carnaval season. The first event that Ara brought me to … Read More