Throughout my study abroad experience, I have been living with an Ecuadorian host family. My host family members are my mom, Alicia, her husband, Vicente and a 28-year old-daughter, Maria Alicia. In the house, they mainly speak Spanish, which is amazing because that's what I speak back at home! Before meeting them, I felt extremely nervous. I wondered if they would like me, what would they look like and if I was going to feel comfortable. Now, after a week living together, I can say I enjoy the experience! They are very attentive towards me and my well-being.
Before meeting my new host family, my study abroad group and I had to travel eight hours to meet them! Throughout the bus ride, all I kept thinking about was if everything was going to turn out well. After traveling for eight hours, I met them at C.E.D.E.I. (Center for Interamerican Studies Foundation), which is my study abroad program. After being introduced to my host family, they huggged me and expressed how happy they were to finally meet me.
After leaving C.E.D.E.I., my host mom, Alicia, gave me a tour of the house, while Vicente and Maria Alicia helped with my luggage. Although I was happy to finally settle in, I was also thinking about my friends and family back in New York City.
