The Student Collective Volume VII Issue I

Quito, Ecuador
Beth Girard
What was your favorite experience from your time abroad?
So far, eating local empanadas and rappelling down waterfalls in Banos (a smaller city east of Quito) has
been a highlight. It’s incredible how weekend trips can be so life-giving and adventure-filled!
How did your time abroad contrast with your other semesters at Fox?
While academics are encouraged here, experiencing the entirety of culture that Ecuador has to offer has
been at the forefront of our time. We are led directly into the heart of Ecuadorian culture by living with
Ecuadorian families, and that experience has transformed the way the I am able to understand academics
from a cultural perspective.
What’s the most important thing you learned in your time abroad?
That it’s okay to fail! Learning anything, but specifically another language, is no easy task, and messing
up is inevitable. Leaning into mistakes as an opportunity to learn and grow has been an important lesson
thus far.
While all the experiences and adventures have been incredible, the things I will treasure most are the
relationships that have been formed. Housemates have become family, host parents have welcomed
us with open arms into their family and culture, and staff have become mentors and friends. I am
so incredible thankful for the people that have influenced me here and look forward to a lifetime of
relationship with them!
The Student Collective 37