Ecuador Study Abroad Semester - Fall and Spring

L&LI Semester Abroad was an amazing experience full of spiritual, intellectual, and relational growth. Being fully immersed into Ecuadorian culture while taking classes, having an internship, living with home-stay families, and going on trips that allow you to see the four regions of Ecuador is something that not very many people have the opportunity to do. Being able to do all this with amazing staff that is there to support you spiritually, mentally and physically 100% of the time is an incredible gift and added bonus. The teachers are there to challenge you in a variety of ways all while incorporating the culture and history of Ecuador. You have the chance to build life long relationships with staff, fellow students, and home-stay families that radiate Christ and that are built on a strong foundation for the love of Ecuador and the city of Quito that you are living in. This program helps you grow in independence, sense of curiosity and in your knowledge of Spanish.
Going into this program, I had no idea that it would have been this life changing, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I highly recommend this program!

When people asked me the one question of, "How was it?!" My one answer was always, wow. Starting and finishing with the staff, they made the semester the best it could be for us. They poured into us students and we got to pour into them as well. Not only did the staff change my life, but so did the students I walked with these past four months. Some closer than others, but all so loving and authentic. We traveled to Peru and the four worlds of Ecuador with each other. Outside of these amazing trips, we studied together and grew in the knowledge of Spanish language and other academics. Professors were always so supportive of the next steps you wanted to take in life and truly cared for you. This program is so unique because of its' people. They make you feel like home no matter how uncomfortable you are. Prepare to be vulnerable, loved, and scared. This trip was filled with all emotions, but knowing that I wasn't alone on this trip felt amazing.

In short, my time with Living & Learning International changed my life! I couldn't have asked for a better semester. Prior to embarking on this journey with L&LI, I did not know what to expect. I was mostly just looking forward to having all the fun (I mean promises of climbing a volcano and going to the Galapagos Islands should hype anyone up). However in the midst of all the fun, I had not anticipated to grow as much as I did, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. The staff of L&LI truly take the time to pour into their students and disciple them to be better leaders over their lives so that they in turn know how to lead others well. In just the course of 4 months, I had learned from L&LI what it means to live in authentic and genuine community with others where vulnerability and honesty is welcomed and fosters personal growth. There's not one thing with this semester that I regret or wish could've been different.

My time in Ecuador in the summer of 2017 was priceless and far exceeded my expectations. The staff was invested in discipleship and in the lives of the students. I learned a huge amount from my education internship. I've been to about 5 or 6 countries (some on multiple occasions), and my time in Ecuador was probably the most enjoyable of them all. I seriously plan to apply for teaching jobs in Ecuador when I graduate next year. I would recommend this program to anyone and everyone.

Going to Quito, Ecuador was the most impactful part of my college career. Not only was I able to travel to South America and go on countless adventures, leaving me with stories and experiences of a lifetime, but I also was immersed into a culture that stretched me and changed the way I see the world. Living in Quito in an apartment with other people from the program was beneficial because I was able to adjust to Ecuador with others who were also experiencing the change of living in another country and adjusting to a new culture. However, when I moved to my homestay and lived with an Ecuadorian family for a month, I realized that before, I had simply been studying abroad. When I moved in with my Ecuadorian family, I was then living abroad. I was able to grasp the culture in an entirely new way when I had Ecuadorian parents, brothers, and sisters. I learned a lot of Spanish, and I learned what it means to be a good host and to open your home to family and friends. I lived in an environment in which family comes first, relationships are more important than work, and you are treated as though you are a daughter of the family.

I absolutely love this program. I went into the semester as not only the only person from my school who was going, but as the first student from my school to attend this program, and I was more than intimidated not knowing what I had gotten myself into. As soon as I was picked up at the airport by the staff, saw my apartment, and met my RC, I felt at peace about the semester ahead. I loved every aspect of my semester. The classes were interesting, the professors were not only some of the most amazing teachers I know, but also deeply cared about me and the other students. The community was incredible, the staff helped the students become very intentional about having meaningful relationships throughout the semester. Ecuador is a beautiful country and through this program you get to see all four of it's diverse worlds, the Andes mountains, the Amazon rainforest, the coast, and the Galapagos islands. I'm so thankful that the staff have built this program the way that they have and that they invest in students the way that they do.

Everything about this program is intentional. From having conversations about the beautiful and ugly sides of Quito's culture, to the timing of the jungle mission trips and allowing students to lead the second one, to the community in the apartments - everything is intentional to allow students to grow spiritually, relationally, and experientially. The staff is fully invested in supporting the students and allowing them to flourish. Most of the activities are planned by the program, which I was at first nervous about. But that actually allowed me to see much more of the country than I would have otherwise. Overall, the loving community defines this program.

Living and Learning International: Quito serves as an amazing academic program overseas. The program emphasizes the importance of the students and the development of their character while also encourages and strives for academic success. This program separates itself from others by its intentionality. What I mean by this is that the program prides itself with the fact that they provide opportunities for the students to see and experience every region of the country. Along with that, the intercultural immersion with a host family has been crafted to support both the students and the families. The staff creates an environment that allows every individual to be both known and cared for. Any student that desires to invest in not only their education, but their lives as well should consider Living and Learning International.