La Universidad y Quito

Ecuador was my first study abroad experience and I loved every second of it! I was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship from the Trent Lott Institute for Public Policy to study abroad for a month. Within this month I took a class in the Galapagos Islands (which I will talk about next), and in Cumbaya. The class I took in Cumbaya, at the Universidad San Francisco of Quito, was based on Environmental Policy. At first I did not think I would enjoy the class because I was never interested in the environmental aspects of government. But, after taking the class I have realized that everything is interconnected and humankind and the environment must work together hand in hand to survive.
Our class, of 11 public policy majors, met together everyday from 8am until noon. After we would have the rest of the day free to explore the city. During the span of the class we listened to Galo, our teacher, discuss the different aspects of the environment and how humans play a role in the development and protection of it. Each student presented a 10-15 minute presentation on an endangered animal in South America and how the animals could be protected. Also, our class was split up into four different groups in order to give 25 minute presentations on over exploitation, pollution, development etc. At the end of the class we had a final which covered all of the power points.
I was very fortunate to live a block away from the school. The school was surrounded by walls and only took up one full block. Inside the walls was the greenest grass and beautiful buildings. Everyone was kind and there were students from all over the world taking classes at the university in the summer.
As for the city of Quito, it reminded me of Lima, Peru. Our group toured the old and new city of Quito. We had the great opportunity to straddle the Equator and be in the middle of the earth. There were also certain tests at the same site, like walking in a straight line on the Equator. Trust me, it is harder than you think. It felt like gravity was trying to pull me in two places at once. There was also another test to balance an egg on a nail. Our site touring of Quito was a success and we made it a habit to return to the city a few more times since it was only a 15 minute taxi ride from Cumbaya.
More to Come!