Ecuador & Peru Blog

It’s been a week since returning from a truly incredible two week adventure in Peru and Ecuador and I have found myself missing the trip every day. I am grateful to have traveled to these unique places and experienced a myriad of amazing things. Applying to this study abroad is one of the best decisions I’ve made, as it enabled me to broaden my horizons and gain so many valuable memories. The trip was special not only because of the countless exciting things we did, but also because of the people. Our group got along well and had fun at each stop we made. Dr. A was the life of the group and his guidance and expertise through Latin America made the trip so much more worthwhile. This trip will forever hold a special place in my heart and I’m so thankful to have studied abroad in Peru and Ecuador.

When in Ecuador, we visited a district in Cumbayá called La Tejedora. This district acts as an incubator for small startups as they develop and grow to eventually expand. The district is home to a wide variety of creative and innovative businesses and it was enjoyable to be able to visit and observe them. We were able to have a more in depth look at a company called Super Foods and we were fortunate enough to have lunch there while the owner told us about the business. Her passion for her work and her humility were truly inspiring. She started it with her sister in 2015 with a desire to promote a healthy lifestyle and diet. The business acts as a store and restaurant and offers various services such as cooking lessons, all of which go back to their mission of a healthy diet. The company has also served as a platform for people to get their products on the market. Super Foods has had an impactful presence in helping the lives of Ecuadorians with their diets as well as providing jobs. It has expanded since its creation in La Tejedora, and a new store was opening in Quito while we were visiting. It will continue to expand and grow in the years to come, all while helping others be healthy.

An enjoyable part of the trip in Ecuador was our visit to the middle of the world. The museum tour about the native people was intriguing and educational. It was awesome to be able to stand over the equator with one foot in each hemisphere and it was an amazing feeling to be rewarded with a certificate after successfully balancing an egg on a nail. We were able to see the Coriolis Effect in effect in each hemisphere and its absence on the equator. It was such a great and educational experience at 0°0’00”!

We took a trip into the rainforest when visiting Mindo on our last full day in Ecuador. We ate lunch at a delicious typical restaurant then went on a ziplining adventure. It was truly breathtaking to fly above the rainforest canopy and be able to take in all of the beauty. After going on ten ziplines, we went chasing waterfalls. The descent into the rainforest was humid and slippery, but the scenic waterfall and river made it worth it. After spending some time in the water, we took a cable cart to the hike’s beginning and even saw a toucan. Our day in Mindo is something none of us will soon forget.

One of my favorite days of the trip was in Peru when we were traveling to Ollantaytambo from Cusco. After a delicious lunch in Cusco, we loaded up the van and began our two hour drive. The journey was so scenic and the weather was perfect, making for a magical day. We stopped at a place called “Centro Textil Lluvia”, where we got to interact with and take pictures with alpacas and get a demonstration of how the native people process and dye the fiber to create handmade textiles. It was such a fun experience, and watching an alpaca spit on Giovanna made it even more memorable! After that we got back on the road and stopped at a scenic overlook with a good view of the Andes Mountains and some ruins. It was so beautiful and the mountains nearly looked fake. The journey to Ollantaytambo persisted after that, and our downward descent occurred during sunset. The way the fading light fell on the Peruvian countryside was breathtaking and made for a warm welcome into the village. That night the stars shined brightly and our dinner was accompanied with a live performance of traditional Peruvian music. Though this day was full of travel and we didn’t do too much, it made me feel the magic of Peru and fall in love with it.

One of the main reasons I initially wanted to go on this study abroad trip was the opportunity to visit Machu Picchu. I had high expectations for this visit yet all of them were exceeded beyond belief. It is an absolutely extraordinary place. We got up early that morning to ride a 360° view train there, and the journey was beautiful. Once we arrived we hurried to hike WaynaPicchu, as they only let a certain number of people in at certain times to hike it. Our ascent to the top was challenging with the high altitude and steepness, yet enjoyable. We paced ourselves and just had fun while taking in the scenic views. Once at the top, our breaths were taken away, both literally and figuratively. The view was absolutely magnificent, and words or pictures will never be able to do it justice. The clouds grazed the tops of the mountains surrounding us, and the sunlight peaking through them electrified the colors of the scenery and filled the whole place with life. Just being able to sit on the rocks at the top and take in all of the beauty was incredible. Our descent down the mountain was much easier and we were able to explore the ruins after that. Our day at Machu Picchu was magical and one that will live in my memory forever.

The trip was not long enough and I definitely want to return to Latin America sometime in the near future. I am so grateful for this adventure and part of me still doesn’t believe that I got to experience the things I did. When deciding whether to study abroad or simply broaden your horizons on a trip, I would advise to just take the chance. Go for it. You never know what could come from it and chances are you will have the time of your life and be so thankful you went. I know I sure am.

Traveling abroad this summer to Ecuador and Peru has been one of my most memorable college experiences! I owe a huge thanks to Dr. A for planning the trip and making this trip enjoyable for every student involved. This trip really exposed me to different cultures and made me want to do another study abroad in the near future!

When I first arrived in Ecuador, the trip started off a bit unfortunately due to the rainy, cloudy weather in Quito. However, that did not stop our group from having fun. We visited the Basilica del Voto Nacional, where we were able to see the entire city of Quito. Later on that night I enjoyed going to the Virgen del Panecillo statue where our group was able to see the city light up after the sunset.

The first company visit our group had was to the Galapagos Flores rose factory in Tabacundo, Ecuador. During this visit we were given insight to how the company manages the demand, supply, and exports of the roses they produce. It was amazing being able to see the greenhouses where the roses grow and walking through the freezers where the roses waited to be shipped. It was neat to see that the man in charge of production and exportation of the roses is a former student of Texas A&M.

Our second company visit was spent getting toured around a small business start-up district in Cumbaya. A student from the Universidad San Francisco de Quito took us around each business and finally ended the tour with a visit to a restaurant and store called Superfoods. I really liked this business because I enjoyed the founder’s passion for wanting to help Ecuadorians eat and live a healthier lifestyle. I’ve never tried vegan cuisine before but I actually think the Chilaquiles I ordered was the best food I ate in Ecuador!

After visiting the small business district, we then took a tour of the campus of the Universidad San Francisco de Quito and were given a presentation on the history and government of Ecuador. I really enjoyed ending the day by taking a cable cart up the Pichincha Volcano to an elevation of just about 13,000 feet. Bonding with my fellow Aggies as we swung on the swing set at the top of the volcano is a memory I will never forget.

To wrap up our time in Ecuador, we were fortunate enough to be able to go on a ziplining canopy tour through the Ecuadorian rainforest. It was so much fun seeing everyone conquer their fears and have fun gliding through the air. Even Dr. A joined in on the fun and went with us on all the ziplines. On our last day we visited Mitad del Mundo, the middle of the world, which was one of my favorite places on the entire trip. Here we were given a great presentation on facts about the equator  and each of us had the chance to balance an egg on a nail. This was a great way to end our time in Ecuador before we had to catch our flight to Peru.

While in Peru I was exposed to experiencing Peru’s culture through various ways. The main was I was able to learn the culture was by trying new foods. My favorite food that I tried in Peru was the Ceviche. The waiter told me that it contained shrimp, crab, and squid which I thought tasted amazing with the lime juice that was squirted on it. The other meal I really enjoyed trying was Alpaca. What made me want to try it was just to see if it tasted any different from regular meat. I found that it tasted very similar to steak, though I thought Alpaca was a lot better. I really enjoyed trying new things to get out of my comfort zone which is what I learned to enjoy most about traveling abroad to new places.

On the trip I really enjoyed our visit to the village Ollantaytambo, where we stayed for our visit of Machu Picchu. Going to Machu Picchu was initially what made me want to go on this trip and it completely blew me away. Seeing it in person was far greater than my expectations and was an experience I will never take for granted. I really enjoyed the hike we took up Huayna Picchu and being able to overlook all of Machu Picchu and the Andes mountains. It was amazing to see all the ancient Incan ruins and share this great experience with fellow Aggies who appreciated it just as much.

When we made it back to Lima, I really liked exploring the area we were at in Miraflores. Miraflores is an upscale district within Lima that has many outdoor attractions and dining options. Walking around Parque Kennedy and going to the restaurant La Lucha along with eating Churros made the night time great. I loved how friendly the locals were in Miraflores and will never forget playing soccer in the park with a couple of them. It was a lot of fun playing with the study abroad group and seeing Dr. A get competitive against the students on the other team. I also enjoyed walking to the Inca Market and seeing the large amounts of stores to buy souvenirs from.

Taking a tour of the Universidad de Lima was another great learning experience. The university had a beautiful campus and it was cool to see how similar we are to the students that attend that particular university. While there, we were given a great presentation over the GDP and growing economy of Peru. I liked being able to connect with the students there and make lasting friendships.

Before we left, I was happy to spontaneously try to surf with others students at the beach. Although it was super difficult and none of us were any good at it, I had a great time learning. It was definitely an experience I will never forget. That along with several other things on the trip will always stick with me.

Being fortunate enough to study abroad in Ecuador and Peru is an experience I will never forget. The two weeks I was there felt like it went by in a flash, yet I learned so much during that short time. I learned to step out of my comfort zone, try new things, and immerse myself in different cultures. I was so fortunate to have the best group of Aggies and the best professor to share these memories with. This trip will be one I never forget and I am excited to tell others about my amazing trip and everything I saw and learned along the way!

“Buenos Dias!” I’m walking down the street with 22 other feet stepping, each pair at their own pace. It’s 70 degrees, a sunny day with a slight breeze, the cars are honking aggressively while I can hear the locals saying, “ doce manzanas for un dollar!” I’m enjoying the nice weather while admiring all the natural green that can be seen throughout the distance in the mountains and the bright colors that silently scream culture to my +3.25 vision for attention. For a lot Spanish being spoken around and latin pop music playing around, you would think that I would feel like I fit in; on the contrary, I feel like a double identity agent. Una latina soy, but at the same time, I am an American college student who feels bewildered by the country’s appreciation of its own natural beauty. It’s new world for me. First stop: Quito, Ecuador.

Despite of being born within a Hispanic family, this was my first encounter to a Latin American country and truth be told, I did not know what to expect. There’s only so much that can be learned from a map or a book about Ecuador, little did I knew that I was about to discover several hidden gems. Our first few stops within Ecuador taught me something for sure. It taught me to be patient when it comes to traffic, forced me to step out of my comfort zone to speak to my peers while being in the same vehicle for hours, and to admire the beauty of nature that I would witness when watching through the windows of the vehicle. One of the few stops we did was in the La Tejedora District. La Tejedora District, located in Cumbaya, Quito, Ecuador, is a center of small businesses re-emphasizing the importance and beauty of the arts. Ranging from art classes, gastronomy, and fashion design, La Tejedora District is an example of how Ecuador values the importance of history due to the fact that it was named as a reference of the two old textile factories; it’s name, “Tejedora” in Spanish means “knitting machine”. Who knew that within a small area, I would find variations of chocolate that tasted like heaven, a Latin American top designer store that made me feel like Ella Woods from Legally Blonde, and a health-awareness restaurant named “Superfoods” where I ate an amazing burger that had no meat in the first place for an affordable price? For the first time ever in my life, my taste-buds felt fulfilled while not feeling guilty of overeating calories and feeling energized for hours.

Although the appreciation of the arts is amazing, what really captured my heart’s attention was Mindo, Ecuador. A two-hour drive west from Quito, we leave the metropolitan area for a more rural area that yells green all over. Within Mindo, we realized that Ecuador’s emphasis on recycling, protecting its ecosystem and its species, has its benefits. Mindo shows its simplistic beauty in its entrance by allowing us to see a few small businesses and outdoor little restaurants where the people would greet you and the servers would ask about your adventures in a conversation that would seem very unlikely to happen within the U.S. Mindo appreciates time although your food could take about 45 minutes to be ready, I had a moment to stop and think, realizing that I have never just sat down outside to see my surroundings. Compare to the U.S, I’m always on my phone, planning my next week schedule, my outfit for the next day, and even my next meal but that one day, I just sat down patiently waiting for my food and heard each of my classmates’ stories. This small beauty also forced me to face one of my biggest fears: heights. As we went deeper into Mindo, we were given an opportunity to zip-line within the jungle and then, hike to a certain distance to view one of its rivers. Although I felt my stomach rise up to my chest and sweat dripping through my face, my peers encouraged me throughout the whole thing. The first couple of times, I closed my eyes due to my fear. The other times, I began to open them and take deep breaths and when I did, I enjoyed a scenery like no other. The trees would move along the breeze, the river would flow beneath me, and the sky was a beautiful blue that would make a contrast with the shining sun. Even though this is a literal experience, in that moment, I realized that there is so much to enjoy in life and there is so much to explore.

Second country for us to visit on the list: Peru. This was another cultural shock. Despite of being close to Ecuador, Peru was a whole different world. Our first cultural stop is in Cusco, Peru, where not only did I say “como te llamas” to a llama, but was also sneezed by one. Talk about new memories, haha. In Cusco, the roads were beige brown. The sun was a burning orange, stronger than the Ecuador sun, where we could witness descendants of Peruvian tribes. It was such a quiet town, where people would walk freely but had to watch back and forth for the little mini taxis yet if you stopped and looked at the sky for a moment, at night, there was a sea of stars that glimmered like diamonds. This second half of the trip, our goal was to travel to Machu Picchu, and despite of being on tight schedule, admiring the sky was breathtaking. The next morning, we take a train to Ollantaytambo where we are even closer to our goal. We quickly arrive to Machu Picchu where we realize that people from all over the world, ranging from teens to seniors were determined to climb Huayna Picchu. Little did I knew, that 20,579 steps would the game changer of this trip. Throughout those 20,579 steps, there was sweat, water breaks, but most importantly, bonding. At some point, I felt like the weaker link of the group because after steeper steps, I would stop to rest my knee, but my classmates and Dr. A found it as an opportunity to take pictures, to encourage the group, and to help me. Once we made it to the top, it was a sight like no other. The clouds would move back and forth between the mountains and on the other side, the ruins of Machu Picchu would shine like gold under the sun and those classmates that I never spoke to before in Mays, cheered alongside me. It was a great feeling. The best feeling throughout the trip.

The rest of the trip was us exploring Lima, but this time, as a family, instead of the strangers we once we were. We all did things we never would have imagined, whether that was drinking sparkling water everyday or understanding why religion is so important in Latin America, or even climbing Huayna Picchu. It was all an accomplishment but it was a greater accomplishment since we did it together with no “prob llama”. Haha…Viva Latino America!

Hola! My study abroad in Peru and Ecuador was full of adventure. From the learning experiences and the cultural visits, I can proudly say that I have learned a lot under the guidance of Dr. A. We have gone on several different corporate trips and universities to learn about the Latin American markets and culture. Furthermore, we got to experience the culture by visiting local towns and getting to interact with many of the locals from the various cities that we visited, such as Lima and Quito. In this blog, I will elaborate on these experiences and hope to share my experience of my trip so you can get a light of what some of the highlights of my experiences were like.

One of my favorite academic places that we visited was the Universidad de Lima. With its beautiful infrastructure, it is comparable to many of the top universities in the world. It was also a pleasure to have Mr. Perez-Luyo tour us around the university. He presented a lecture about the university and answered the many different questions that our group had for him. As a group, we learned the structure of a typical Latin American University and the politics behind it. Additionally, he and a group of students from the university create a mini-social for us. This event was one of my favorites because we got to understand from a personal level what being a student is like in the university. We got to compare our majors and way of life and culture to the students. I have ultimately gathered a greater appreciation for the Peruvian culture and feel more interconnected internationally.

A cultural visit that was a highlight to me was China in Lima, Peru.  This was especially interesting because it showed me the influence of China on the country. Being Chinese myself, I would have never thought of the influence of China is global that influential. As it was my first time out of the country, it was cool seeing the mix between Latin America and China. These cultures both respected each other and opposed to the stereotypes in the United States, Chinese people are look up upon in Latin America for its market dominance.  I was thoroughly impressed. We also go to try out some Chinese food in the area. While it wasn’t the best, I could see the Latin American influence on the food, and I have come to appreciate it. Visiting Chinatown as a great experience, and it was one of my favorites. Considering politics, I have also realized that the United States doesn’t have as much influence as China does in Ecuador and Peru. A lot of the infrastructure and buildings in Ecuador and Peru is money funneled from the Chinese government. In fact, the roads that took us into Quito, Ecuador was a highway made by Chinese government money. Also, the phones that the locals were using, were also Chinese!

Another cultural visit that I really liked was when we were exploring the churches in Quito, Ecuador. These were some of “diamonds in the rough” finds in the city. These churches were immaculate, and it shows the importance of the Catholic faith in the region. One of these churches we visited was the La Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús (The Church of the Society of Jesus). Being one of the first churches we visited, it was the one that had the most profound influence on my views of Catholic Churches in Latin America. The church was decorated with beautiful gold leaves and gilded wood carvings. This showed me that even though the country had a past of poverty and corruption, religion is the one thing that brought everyone together. Everyone invests in the religion and it was awesome to see the influence of Catholicism in a region such a Quito.

One thing that surprised me about Latin America was the wonderful fruit that they had. Both Ecuador and Peru had the best fruit I have ever eaten in my whole life. From the Mangos to the Oranges, they were so fresh and vibrant – it was amazing. With one bite, you can taste the complex juicy flavors that are offered from very common produce in Latin America. Being a fan of fruit, I was slightly disappointed that I couldn’t bring the produce back home due to customs.

As a person who always yearned to travel, visiting the universities and cultural areas was a great experience. However, the best thing about this trip for me was the bonding that I had with my peers and my professor. As a group, we had gone through a lot of struggles and tribulations. These struggles made us stronger as a group, and as a return, new friendships rose from those situations. One memorable moment was the time when we hiked Huayna Picchu. Known to be one of the hardest hikes, with the elevation of 8835 ft, we hiked as a group and went through all the obstacles together. When we got to the top, we got to appreciate the Incan ruins and gathered a greater sense of appreciation for the culture. Even though it took a while for pictures, this whole experience resonated to me due to many building blocks it encompassed.

One political matter that interested me while I was on the trip was the history of the political corruption of both countries. It was interesting to learn through lectures and locals of the influence of politics on society and everyday life. One example of this was the observation of construction in the beaches of Lima, Peru for the Parapan American Games. With years of it being declared as the location, they have yet to complete this project. Dr. A explained to us that many of these construction companies require money under the table and corruptions of all sorts. It almost seems like corruption plagues the business culture of Latin America. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t hold true for some business, but for businesses that require political or global interaction, corruption almost always seems to illuminate from these situations.

The only negative thing that happened to me during the trip was the high-altitude sickness I experienced during my first few days in Ecuador. Being used to sea-level, I didn’t know how my body would react to the high altitudes of Ecuador. For the first few days, I felt a little nauseous as my body was adjusting to the weather. It was hard to breathe at times and my appetite was not the greatest. However, Dr. A, expecting the sickness from a few of us, prepared tea for us that the locals use to cope with the sickness. We also chewed on some leaves that is very normal in Ecuadorian culture to cope with the altitude. It was awesome and I am extremely grateful for a professor who is adept and is considerate about the effects that travel have on the students.

Overall, I would recommend anyone considering studying abroad to do it at least once in their college career. I was once on the fence about the idea of traveling abroad to study, but after going through the experience, I feel like I have come back to the United States with a plethora of benefits that will outweigh all the cons. From learning about different cultures to experiencing international business in a real-world setting I wish every student at Texas A&M was required to travel as part of the educational curriculum. As cliché as it sounds, there are some things that can’t be learned in a textbook, and this experience provided many learning topics that will never be taught in a classroom.

I came into this trip with a certain expectation of what the students on this trip were going to be like. I’d done the whole study abroad thing before, and was sure that this trip could not compare, I was wrong. This program has developed me so much as a person, and given me more than I ever thought possible. This trip has not only given me a deeper understanding of Latin American Markets, Hispanic Culture, South American Politics, but has given me friendships that will last a life time and clarity as I move into the future.

I went into Ecuador with no real expectations, and it turned out to be my favorite country. This country was rich in hidden gems. Every day was a new adventure pushing me out of my comfort zone. When we arrived to Quito the forecast for the week wasn’t looking too good, needless to say, we had to roll with whatever the day threw at us, and that was the fun part. We instantly started getting closer, from the inconsistency.

The worst part was the Latin American timing, or how Dr. A calls it “Brazilian time”. Every time we ate out in Ecuador we had to block out two and half hours, because it took them FOREVER to bring out our food. Our group discussed this and agreed that the biggest difference was customer service in the food industry. Restaurants in Ecuador pay their employees salary and don’t give them an incentive system like tip, to work more efficiently.

My favorite corporate visit in Ecuador was Galapagos Flowers, because of the deep insight into their manufacturing process. The company produces 8% of the world’s roses in Ecuador, and when you think about how small Ecuador really is, it becomes an astonishing number. The rose farming business has to be one of the hardest in the world. All of their logistics, customer orders, and production is based on estimates taken by the logistics supervisor. The environment has to be perfect in order for their business to flourish. Galapagos Flowers has developed an intricate system measuring moisture in the soil, the watering of the plants, temperature, fertilizer amount, and other important factors.

Even though they’ve progressed significantly in technological advancement, everything is still unknown. The way they can keep track of inventory and their quota, is by performance evaluation. This is done by assigning laborers to a specific area, checking on them, looking at their production values and giving them an incentive to do their job right.

My favorite part of the company is that their leading concern was the welfare of their employees and the sustainability of the products they use in production to harvest their crop. While we were in Ecuador I didn’t really see any real concern with their role in pollution and plastics, and the fact that a company exporting their product internationally primary concern is sustainability is really cool.

The country of Peru was a whole different ball game, no longer were we taking our time. Everything seemed so fast paced and it honestly felt like the whole week flashed before my eyes. This was also when our group turned from “students on a trip together” to family. My favorite part was climbing Machu Picchu, we were all striving to get to the top and when we finally did it was the most rewarding. The most unforgettable part of the trip was the view. It was safe to say that we weren’t in College Station anymore y’all!

My favorite official visit was the lecture in Universidad de Lima in Peru. The content really pertained to our future in the business world, and the where the United States and Peru really stand globally when comparing GDP and labor productivity. He explained our advantage as Americans when doing business because of our currency is accepted internationally.

One of my biggest takeaways was my ability to use my Spanish and create a deeper connection to the Latin American culture. Even though my family speaks Spanish regularly, I don’t use it enough when it comes to school and my career. Having to communicate with the students and professors at Universidad de San Francisco- Quito and Universidad de Lima in a professional way sharpened my Spanish.

When we are attending to our daily lives, I feel like we are so worried and affected by our responsibilities and pleasing others, that we don’t take time out of our day to get to know others. In Peru, I really felt like I was living the most basic form of life, and I could not stop smiling. I realized that we are all more similar than we are different. My heart was thriving getting to know every individual on the trip. I have never met such wholesome individuals, who deserve the most out of life.

Thank you to all of the people for the constant laughter and for everything all of you have taught me. Not only do I consider y’all best friends, but also family. Before this trip, I was okay with the idea of graduating early. All of y’all have made leaving College Station in the fall the hardest thing ever.

To Dr. A: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to study abroad under your program one last time. Thank you for always going above and beyond for our group and keeping us on our toes. This trip has made my last year at Texas A&M so special and one that I will never forget.

This was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I can truly say I enjoyed every second of it. Everything came to an end too fast and my only regret is not meeting all of you earlier.

Don’t close your eyes, you might miss out on something special.

Reflecting on my experience in Ecuador and Peru has been eye-opening for me to say the least. Going in to this trip, I only had the expectations for what Dr. A had prepared us for, and I was eager to learn about the culture of Ecuador and Peru. I was somewhat aware of the differences between the two countries and how they may compare to the United States, but spending two weeks in these countries was transformational. Life in Ecuador and Peru were astoundingly defined in their culture, development, and overall lifestyle.

While in Ecuador, we visited Galapagos Flores, a worldwide exporter of roses. During this corporate visit, my group was given a walkthrough of the complete process of growing, preparing, and shipping the roses. Each employee had their own section of roses where they moderated the plant’s conditions on a daily basis. Additionally, it was very interesting to see that the entirety of the garden was facilitated by an automatic watering and nutritional supplementation process. It was evident that as Galapagos Flores grew as a company, they implemented more efficient and cost-effective strategies, such as growing their own filler flowers. As a result, they were able to save hundreds of thousands of dollars by using their own, rather than buying from another supplier. Their entire process was surprisingly tedious, and I developed an appreciation for the hard work that goes into preparing the bunches of roses that we purchase every year thanks to this visit.

In Peru, I was able to hike Machu Picchu for the first time, and it was truly a lively experience. First, we walked through Incan ruins made out of granite and terrace fields once used for growing crops. Prepared with backpacks full of water and layered with both sunscreen and bug spray, we began our roughly hour and thirty-minute hike to the top. The rocky steps were rather inconsistent and sometimes steep, but it was still reasonably difficult. There were some ropes and plenty of mountain surface to help aid the hike when needed. When we reached the top, I was met with the most astounding view I had ever seen in my life. On parallel with the clouds, I was surrounded by miles of colossal mountains, beautiful rivers, green vegetation, and a full top view of the Incan ruins. We spent nearly thirty minutes at the top, took lots of irreplaceable pictures, and saw many people from other universities and countries. The hiking clothing proved especially important, as long sleeves and pants were able to further protect me from the sun as we reached higher elevations.

My personal favorite parts of this study abroad were when we were given time to walk around historical towns, districts, or markets. These experiences gave me the perspective of being able to experience Ecuador and Peru not as a tourist or student, but from the perspective that the millions of citizens in both of these countries experience on a daily basis. I learned that large supermarkets similar to America’s Walmart or HEB are nearly nonexistent in both Ecuador and Peru, as they support local family-owned businesses to buy their foods and necessities. Both of these countries demonstrated a massive focus on family values, and it was very evident that life is much more laid back, rather than fast-paced. Ecuador was much less westernized than Peru, where popular fast food chains could be seen in every popular area and shopping mall. Still, both of these countries had extremely similar standards of living for the average citizen, as much of Peru’s developed portion seemed to also be occupied by higher levels of tourism.

Some aspects of this trip were difficult for me to adjust to, but they all left me with perspective. Drinking water in both Ecuador and Peru were generally regarded as a risk, flushing toilet paper is not allowed due to the difference in plumbing, and the traffic during busy hours is comparable to that of a metropolitan center. Nonetheless, these changes eventually proved minor, and looking back, I appreciate how easily the citizens of these countries adapt to their conditions. I have no idea how I could navigate the traffic in either country, with Ecuador being heavy in mountains and sharp turns, and Peru having a mix of maze-like roads and heavy traffic.

The many times we ate as a group, we were always surprised in one way or another. In La Tejedora, an entrepreneurial district in Ecuador, we ate at a vegetarian restaurant called Super Foods. The owner shared her story of how she developed the restaurant and surprised many of us with how appetizing the organic, unprocessed, and meat-free meals were. The lack of tipping in restaurants abroad truly demonstrated the incentive not to serve meals as fast as we are used to in America. We would often wait up to an hour for food in Ecuador, but this was normal service standards and the food was always around half as expensive as what we would be used to. In Peru, the wait decreased somewhat, but meals were significantally more expensive and the food was more appetizing. Peru’s well-known propensity towards culinary expertise certainly did not disappoint, and I even got to try Alpaca meat.

When we visited the University of Lima, we were given a lecture on Peru’s economic development from Professor Ricardo Perez, who demonstrated amazing knowledge in his field. My major takeaway from his lecture was how GDP is a measure of labor productivity, and that as a country technologically improves, its productiveness of labor increases as well. He compared potato farming in US and Peru as an example, explaining that even though Peru and US have very similar amounts of total land dedicated to farming potatoes, the US grows significantally more because the Peruvian potatoes are all picked by farmers, not machines, and are also not genetically modified. For me, this was very telling about the significant differences between the economies of Peru and the US. While technology advances in the US have increased the GDP, jobs are significantally less localized and more competitive than they are in Peru. On a broad basis, this showed me that the population of Peru as a whole puts a uniquely valuable emphasis on community support and family values.

A week after visiting Ecuador and Peru, I already miss the amazing time I spent there. This experience was like no other; I not only had a faculty member that was adept in both Ecuador and Peru guiding my group, but I also had plenty of time to navigate, understand, and enjoy the culture of these countries. Being able to see two countries within two weeks was also a beneficial part of this program that I am beyond happy to have been part of. I learned countless things every day, and there was never a dull moment aside sleeping on the bus. As a result of this trip, I hope to return to both Ecuador and Peru in the future, both to explore more places in these countries and to revisit the beautiful areas we stayed in.

In May, I had the privilege of studying abroad in Ecuador and Peru with the most fabulous group of people; not to mention the best professor! I am really thankful for everyone that made the experience possible and organized all the logistics for our group. This experience really re-opened my eyes to the fact that the rest of the world is not like the United States. Upon my return home, I feel very blessed to live in a country with such developed infrastructure, economic opportunities, business environments, and politics.

My favorite part of the trip was definitely in Peru when we got to stay in Ollantaytambo and visit Machu Picchu. Ollantaytambo, located in the valley next to Machu Picchu, was the smallest and most relaxing place we visited. The town was full of smaller hostels and restaurants, and I felt very safe during our stay. To put it in one word, it was a quaint little village. Our hostel was located on the river, a HUGE contrast to the city noises of Lima and Quito. I felt much more connected with nature and immersed in the culture in Ollantaytambo than I did in both Lima and Quito. The restaurants featured local, traditional Peruvian music as well, which made dinners really lively. Speaking of food… I could write a whole paper just on the food. The Peruvian food was amazing! I am so glad we got to spend significant time in each of our destinations, especially Lima, in order to fully discover the local cuisine. Our favorite restaurant in Lima was La Lucha Sangucheria; we ate there as a group three times, with a couple of smaller trips on top of that. If I get the opportunity to return to Lima, my first stop will most definitely be La Lucha! Our stop in Ollantaytambo led us to Machu Picchu, which was phenomenal. Even though it was really strenuous, I thoroughly enjoyed hiking Waynapicchu. The trail was a lot more rugged than I expected it to be, but proved to be very rewarding upon completion. Not to mention, the views were incredible. I had to stop every five minutes to take pictures; they all turned out fantastic! My favorite part of the hike and getting to explore the ruins in Machu Picchu was meeting other travelers along the way. We hiked with a group from Houston, believe it or not, and also met a few friendly couples from England. It was really special to see how the global fascination with Incan ruins/culture brought people from all across the globe to the same place.

Ecuador, specifically Quito, was an entirely different experience than Peru. Everything in Latin America was shockingly clean, however, Quito was overridden with graffiti. Quito, even being the most developed city in Ecuador, was much less developed than Peru. It was very apparent that we were in a less developed country upon our arrival in Quito. My favorite part of our week in Ecuador was the beautiful architecture the city possesses. We had the opportunity to visit the Quito Basilica and climb to the top for unmatched views of the city. The same afternoon, we snuck inside a church called the Compañía de Jesús during mass. This was by far my favorite church; the interior was breath-taking. I wish so badly that we could have taken pictures because they would probably look fake. The interior was so ornate and detailed that I don’t know how anyone would be able to truly focus during mass! Luckily, the rain held off and allowed us good visibility of the city from the Virgin de Panecillo, which is Quito’s statue of the Virgin Mary that overlooks the city. It is the tallest statue in Ecuador, and although unconfirmed, it claims to be taller than Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil. On the outskirts of Quito, we visited a super cute and trendy business area that serves as an incubator for local start-ups called La Tejedora. The creative district housed a bunch of small, restaurant start-ups and crossfit-type gyms, along with designer stores and art galleries. It was a very fun place to spend the afternoon, and we had a wonderful lunch at a vegan/gluten-free restaurant, and even got to hear from the owner of the store. I thought it was really interesting to see what she is offering to the surrounding community and how well it is being received by the locals. In my opinion, she will be the biggest competitor to the fast-food industry in Quito within the next ten years, because according to her market research, there is a very high demand for diet-tailored, healthy food.

What I miss most about Latin America is the cheap pricing. On an excursion to Mindo Valley in Ecuador, we ate lunch for only THREE dollars. This lunch included a soup, salad, full serving of meat, rice, and fresh juice. Normally, I would just enjoy the bargain and continue on with my life, however, after hearing a lecture at the Universidad de San Francisco, I was prompted to give more thought to the economics of the circumstance. Before embarking on the trip, I knew that the currency of Ecuador is the US dollar, however I only really thought about the convenience of the matter. After the lecture at the Universidad de San Francisco, my thoughts evolved to the economic side of things. As a traveler, I am thankful that the dollar is reasonably strong right now, but after traveling to Ecuador, I am even more grateful to live in a country where we can control (to some extent) the value of our currency. According to our lecturer, switching to the US dollar in 2000 was the only way to save the economy in Ecuador, however it also has its downsides. For example, they are not able to control the value of their exports, and this has proven to be really expensive for the country. They also have no ability to print their own money because they are using the dollar. Typically, a weak domestic currency stimulates exports, however the conversion to the dollar has really suppressed the export sector. I really enjoyed our university visits in both Ecuador and Peru, and the fact that we had time to experience each country for a few days first and make our own observations.

Overall, I had a wonderful experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life. The people I met along the way, including my classmates, have deeply enriched my life and continued to strengthen my love for new cultures and places. I learned a lot more than I expected from our university and cultural visits, and honestly they were all highlights for me. To have access to local businesses like we did was such a treat! I am extremely thankful to Dr. A for allowing me to have this opportunity and coordinating such fun and enriching excursions for us. I hope to return to Latin America as soon as possible! 

Hasta luego!

“it is only as an aesthetic phenomenon that existence and the world are eternally justified…”  

    I never really understood that, maybe because I never read the book; I just read this quote from somewhere and figured that it applies well. At least it was on my mind these past few days of reminiscing about Ecuador and Peru. But I also realized that maybe not everything is meant to be understood, that there are things better kept alive in our hearts, to be thought about but never really needing a full conclusion. This was my sole mantra throughout the two weeks of non stop traveling.  

   Scientists discover their research topics through traveling; authors develop their ideas through traveling; artists find their style through traveling- people reach epiphanies when they’re away from their mundane lives. And I, well…

   We were in the middle of Cuicocha lake, looking up at the Cotacachi volcano, and I was filled with awe and excitement at the whole experience; it felt surreal; I’ve never been so close to a volcano. But at the same time, I was so disappointed in myself. I couldn’t utter a single poem from memory or a phrase or make out a verse or prose or create anything with artistic flow to it. If I read enough books in my daily life, if I accrued enough literature in my arsenal, something in my heart would’ve been able to CREATE. Something would’ve been able to come out of my soul. But all it was doing was being filled with awe. The only mantra of my heart during the boat ride was- how beautiful. Here I was, in the middle of the LAGOON OF THE GODS, as it was called, and all I can say is- how beautiful? How empty my soul is if at the most precious moments in life I can’t seem to articulate? How lazy was I during my daily life back home that being triggered by such beauty, I just sit there staring? Ahead of us there appeared a rainbow; the volcanoes, the lake, the ducks- it was all so magical. I was enjoying the moment, yes indeed; I was happy, yes indeed, but I’m young and I can’t travel just for the sake of traveling. I have too much left in this world to learn. So I was pretty- no, very- disappointed in myself because- is my self-cultivation not good enough for such majestic sights? Am I not good enough to measure up to the beauty I see?-, but I discovered that the awestruck wonder I had in itself was respect for what I saw. Because not everything in this world has to match up with human endeavors. Because the human language or other forms of human expression doesn’t completely capture the great wonders of earth, so a great form of respect is just to…appreciate the scene, not trying to do anything with it.

   And perhaps this is also my favorite part about traveling- you don’t. have. to. figure everything out. You don’t have to have everything together. Things that seem to CONSUME you in the daily buzz of routines diminish into nothingness when you’re caught in the excitement of adventures at every turn. When you’re approached by problems bigger than anything you will ever encounter, views greater than anything you will ever be, cultures so different from your own that it takes all of your self-cultivation to try to understand and respect it, you’re reminded once again of how small you are. And that in the grand scheme of human history, whether the legacy you lead makes a great impact on a multitude of people or whether your impact only reaches few to no audience, everything will be alright. The thoughts that consume you don’t die out because ultimately you have to face reality again, you have to face those challenges again, but they move out of the way to figure themselves out in the back of your mind while you’re hit with novel experiences. Your brain synergizes itself to the max when you’re on the road. Your most prevalent problems rest for a while, and you feel so much more- alive.

   One of the most memorable triggers of the mind from this trip was our visit to Universidad de Lima. Culture was so strongly emphasized that it gave me hope in my passion. I’ve always had a consuming, fiery passion for learning about cultures. Okay maybe not always…but I discovered this passion sometime during high school. So for college, I was about to study linguistics because culture stems from language and their entwinement is something I’d very willingly give my life’s work to; but my parents are paying for my college degree and it was only fair that we compromise. But all throughout this day, “CULTURE” screamed at me from every corner. The lecture was all about how “if you don’t know the culture of a country, you already lost your business opportunity”. Lunchtime- the action of Alejandra made me respect her deeply without even talking to her yet. Someone in our group felt uncomfortable about the food because she doesn’t eat certain meats, so Alejandra immediately called the waiter to change it for her. It was the smallest little detail about someone, but it showed her respect for other people’s habits and beliefs. We shared with them a little about A&M’s culture. Essentially…everywhere I walked that day I was hit with the word. Business is about people, and only with people can the word culture even exist. I used to be so sad because I’d think- ‘look at me. Idealistic, quiet, introverted. I’m the last person you’d expect to be in BUSINESS, of all things’. I was so insecure in my career path that it ate me alive- what in the world was I going to do about my career? But this day gave me hope- because I was afraid I would be taught in business school how to take things out of people and not put things into people like I want to learn how to do; because I was afraid I’d lose my perception of what’s really important in life if I slave away at an office job doing finance or accounting; because I was afraid that my natural propensity for always seeing the good in people and not their ulterior motives was going to put me behind others in the business arena- seeing that business is ABOUT people gave me the motivation to start falling in love with my career path. And since culture, people, and business are so undeniably entwined, it’s safe to say that my fears could be obliterated because if the mindset could go one way, then it could also go the other way.

Fear #1: business will teach me how to only think- what can I get out of people?

           Reality: that’s only one side of the equation. Advice to self: if YOU actively flip your thinking into- what can I put into people?- that’s not necessarily going to make you worse off as a businesswoman; it might actually make you better off in the long run.

Fear #2: My passion for languages and culture will one day die off because I’m not doing anything to nurture that passion.

          Reality: Then do something about it. Thinking + acknowledging + dwelling in it with no action = complaining. Learn Spanish. Read Chinese books again. Advice to self: do something, stop thinking so much.

Fear #3: Some people seem so effortlessly outspoken and charismatic, and it seems like they’re gonna march out there and just dominate the management sector; I should go and do something hard-skilled like engineering or computer science like Asians normally do and save myself this stress.

         Reality: Even speaking as a human being and not a business major, there are skills like communication and persuasion and not being afraid to speak your mind that you should learn. Business just propels you forward in learning it faster. So if you’re gonna have to learn those skills anyways, what’s the point of waiting?

A quote from the walls of La Lucha: “el pueblo unido jamás será vencido”; not that it has to do with everything I just wrote, but that it screams out hope, which is everything.

It has been 4 days since I arrived back to the United States from my study abroad trip to Ecuador and Peru and wow. I honestly cannot believe I was in two different countries just days ago. As I look back on everything I did, it is overwhelming to understand everything we went through in a span of just two weeks. These two weeks were full of learning moments, adventures, and long journeys. I experienced everything from informational business visits, impactful University lectures, and beautiful scenery. Although I enjoyed the corporate visits and lectures, nothing could beat taking in the most breathtaking views from zip lining in Mindu, to the unforgettable Machu Picchu. It was an incredible experience and I am very thankful for my family for making this trip possible for me and also thankful for the friends that made this trip even better.

Business in Latin American countries is very different compared to the United States. Since these countries are still developing you don’t see as many ‘Big Businesses’ as you would see in the US. In Ecuador I took notice that there is a large number of small businesses. I believe that this can be a bad thing because there is just too much competition. On one block you see at least 3 if not more local ‘tiendas’ or stores that sell the same thing: Chips, candy, drinks, and alcohol. There is not a lot of variety to choose from in these stores making them less likely to stand out. Because of so many stores selling the same thing, owners are left having to bargain to try to sell their inventory. Business in Latin America is also different compared to the United States in terms of service. America is known to be very fast paced and it can be very stressful. US focuses on mass production as oppose other countries. I took note when we sat down at restaurants. We had to take at least two hours at a restaurant in order to fully finish. From the time it took for our orders to be taken until our food was served to us it took sometimes over an hour. We didn’t mind of course as we loved each other’s company and having the chance to socialize. But I believe the reason things are slower to get things done in Latin America is because of the capital that these businesses can afford. The number of employees and machinery they require is not as much compared to the US and I believe that has to do with Ecuador being an underdeveloped country.

Of course, though, every country has their major exports. For Ecuador, their main exports are petroleum, and flowers. My favorite business visit was the Galapagos Flores because of how breathtaking their visit was. Galapagos Flores produces a huge number of the world’s roses. They export to many different countries some of which include the United States, Italy, Spain, other European countries, and some Asia countries. They started from humble beginnings and are now a top-notch company. The owner’s son actually attended Texas A&M which made it even better. When they say Aggies are everywhere, they really mean everywhere! Galapagos Flores has over 150 Varieties of individually selected roses. They are produced in huge greenhouses and the amount of roses I saw was overwhelming. The whole process is very sophisticated as pretty much everything is computerized. From watering to temperature control.

The nature of Peru and Ecuador though, are beautiful and the US cannot compare. The mountainous regions of these countries are unbelievable, and the sights just left me in awe. What I looked forward to the most about this trip was visiting one of the seven wonders of the world. Machu Picchu. That has always been a goal of mine and getting the chance to climb mountain Wayna Picchu was definitely a privilege. When we arrived Dr. A was in a hurry to get to the entrance to Wayna Picchu because he did not want to be late since only 200 people get to climb within the time frame. We made it on time, and we began our hike. I have a competitive mindset, so I wanted to make it to the top in my best time possible. My classmates didn’t appreciate that about me because they wanted it to be a group hike, but I just couldn’t stop myself from going as quickly as the altitude and my breath allowed me to. The hike was one of the most physically demanding things I have ever done but you know it’s all worth it when you get to the peak. I reached the top with a time of forty minutes and I felt accomplished. I stayed at the peak for over one hour waiting for the rest of my friends, but I did not mind waiting as I just took in the literally breathtaking view. The peak overlooks the ruins of Machu Picchu. As well as other mountains in the area. From the top you can see the town of Aguas Calientes which looks like a one street town from the top. You don’t realize how small the town is until you view it from the peak of Wayna Picchu.

La Universidad de San Francisco de Quito was a beautiful University. Half of the University is located in what used to be a shopping mall. The lecture we received was very informational and I learned quite a bit of the history, geography, and economics of Ecuador. It was really shocking to find out that Quito is surrounded by 3 dangerous volcanos. Their eco system is very unique because of the several currents in the Pacific Ocean. 80 percent of Ecuadorians are Mestizos which is a person of mixed race more specifically a person having Spanish and Indigenous decent. Population in Ecuador is 16 million. That is very small as opposed to the capital of Peru, Lima, which has over 9 million people just in that city. There is many more things that I learned but you will have to go and find out all of their unique characteristics.

One thing I definitely missed about the United States was the food for sure. Ecuador’s cuisine was not the most appetizing. I’m a very picky eater so finding food I enjoyed was surely a struggle in this country. Peru on the other hand had much better quality and flavor in their food. I enjoyed the food much more and actually finished my meals there. My favorite restaurant In Lima, Peru was La Lucha. They had the best sandwiches ever and their smoothies were all-natural fruit. I ate there 4 times in the span of 3 days, and I enjoyed it every single time.

I am very glad I applied to come on this trip and even happier I got to share this experience with a great group of people. The first couple of days were a little awkward for all of us but over the span of two weeks we became a family. We were kinda forced to talk to each other while waiting an eternity at the restaurants anyways. I am thankful for Dr. A for educating us about Latin America and I also want to thank him for putting up with my shares of bad luck and random questions that I’m sure got annoying to him. Studying Abroad was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am sad that it has come to an end. To any one reading this, I recommend taking this wonderful opportunity. It will sure leave a positive impact on you and allow you to appreciate life to a greater extend.