For the Goshen College community, service is accompaniment, “an attempt to walk along-side host nationals and enter (where you can) in their work. Service at this juncture in our history is much more about being than doing. It is about respectfully listening to people and showing genuine interest in their…
Being in Quito has been an enlightening experience for all our students and faculty as we visited incredibly interesting and beautiful places that enriched our minds and souls. During these six weeks, we relished the classes, reflection sessions, readings, lectures, journals, and cultural activities. However, the most…
In our last week of study, SST students and faculty were hosted by peers at Instituto Universitario Tecnológico Rumiñahui, in Sangolqui, Ecuador. The day was full of information, cultural exchanges, games, English-Spanish conversation practice, and history lessons. We learned that U Rimiñahui takes its name from an Inca general…
Oswaldo Guayasamin (1919-1999) is considered one of the most important visual artists of the 20th century, not only in Ecuador or Latin America, but in the world. His work is visually vibrant, emotionally compelling, and politically engaged. He depicted scenes of pain, love, violence, and hope; he organized his…
For our last week of traveling as a group, we took the road to Cotopaxi National Park, a natural reserve on the foothills of Cotopaxi, a volcano that erupted 87 times, produced hills and valleys, and offers and impressive hike. Los paramos, or moist prairies contain a rich and…
Recently, we had a master class on how to ceviche, a dish that consist of marinated seafood and vegetables that is now traditional to Ecuador. Though ceviche’s creation is attributed to Asian immigrants in Perú, it is widely enjoyed in the region and worldwide. Under the direction of Noemi, the…
Last week, we went to Otavalo and other places in Northern Ecuador to see the sights, meet people, and learn more about the local culture and history. Otavalo is home to the largest craft market in Latin America, so we had to go see it. On the way to Cuicocha…
Our first trip was to Mindo, a small parish about two hours Northeast from Quito, in the middle of the cloud forest. There, we meet with our enduring partner, Kléver Tello. He is the head of the parish and has been working on reforestation, planting fruit trees, educating farmers on…
After orientation, students met their host families and joined them in daily life. Through this key component of SST, students learn about cultural practices, social dynamics, and personal relations. A few days after orientation, we returned to Centro Histórico to see the Basilica del Voto Nacional and the winged Virgin…
Our Summer SST Ecuador group arrived this May 1. We are all very excited to start this new term! Bienvenidos a Casa, chicos! One of the first actives of orientation was a group discussion about expectations, hopes, and how to approach challenges. After that, we visited La Carolina, a popular…
