Study Abroad

Study Abroad
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5245 USA
(269) 387-5890

Pre-departure Feels:

Posted by Dana Waddell on
July 10, 2019
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Dana Waddell
Behavioral Science 
Spanish in Quito, Ecuador, Summer I 2019

Passport, cup of coffee, sitting in the airport

A female student with her five younger siblings

I have heard that the only way to learn a new language is to either start learning when you are very young or to become fully immersed in the culture. Since I am now 20 years old, I no longer fit into the first option, so here I am on my flight to Quito, Ecuador.

 It feels surreal that this day has finally arrived, and I that will be landing in Quito by 6pm. Throughout my travels today, I have been surprisingly calm, yet I have had my moments of being extremely overwhelmed with excitement and nerves. Ahead of me, I have a seven-week long adventure that will be filled with culture, eye opening experiences, and of course, loads of studying.
 
Last night, around 15 of my family members came over for dinner in celebration of my trip. Surrounded by my closest family was the perfect way to spend my last night at home. They are all extremely supportive and eager to hear about my future travels. Yet, my mom had the largest influence on my desire to study abroad because she had her own study abroad experience while she was in college.
 

I knew this was a must on my bucket list coming into college in order to attain more internal growth and have a better understanding of the world. It was simply a matter of finding a program that was the best fit for my academic and personal goals, and I am so lucky to have found this one.

 Categories: South America, Ecuador, Department of Psychology, Family and friends, Fears and excitement, Pre-departure, The first 24 hours, Summer I.