Twenty-one St. Olaf Spanish students learned many valuable lessons during their fantastic Interim spent in Ecuador. The majority of what the group learned centered around Latin American culture, the distress of economic and political unrest in the country, and the detrimental effects of deforestation and other environmental concerns in South America. Through varied experiences, students were able to develop a new appreciation for the diversity of the many cultural groups which populate this small country located on the South American coast between Columbia and Peru.

Among other experiences, hiking up the Rio Napo, learning about the medicinal values of plants and trees, swinging from vines, and spending two nights sleeping on a platform in the Amazon Rainforest, dancing the nights away in the discotecas, spending time with indigenous families, and exploring the best market for hand-crafted goods in South America ­ the Plaza de Ponchos in Otvalo ­ made the trip amazing for professors and students, alike.

The group dynamics greatly enhanced everything we did. We will not soon forget the friends we made, the dance steps we aquired, or the hilarious stories we shared about trying to communicate with our host families. Our time spent in Ecuador changed the lives of many of us, and the experience was unforgettable.