Thursday, February 5, 2015

5 Reasons I Would Retake My "Bridge Year" to Ecuador in a Heartbeat

I have been home from my bridge year in Ecuador for almost two years. I am still absolutely convinced that being a Global Citizen Year fellow was the most impactful experience in my life to date.




Five reasons I would retake my bridge year over and over again:



1.  I had the chance to learn another language, through hands-on experience.
(A skill that served me through my mission, my career and in my personal life.)




2. I got to know students (fellows) my age with the same passion and love for life & adventure



I have made lifetime friends,
and when all of these people are famous/successful, future career connections ( ;) ).
















3. I had the experience of living in another culture -- not just traveling through it.

With this, came a new understanding of how others' perceive and experience the world, which expanded my own perception of the world around me.



4. I had the space and opportunity to create a project to benefit my community.
(& the opportunity to learn from the triumphs and failures that come with this. I've been able to apply this experience to later education and career projects.)






5. I fell in love with a small community in the middle of the Ecuadorian jungle that I had never even heard of before moving there. I really don't know where I would be without my dear Puerto Quito and Puerto Quitaño friends.










23 comments:

  1. There are places that touched and changed us so much that it will always be part of us wherever life may take us. :)

    Sounds like you had a "full" life while you were in Ecuador.

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    1. that is a brilliant way to put it, and 100% true.

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  2. Love the pictures!!! I wish I could visit Ecuador one day!

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    Replies
    1. thank you! YOU SHOULD VISIT ECUADOR. It is probably my favorite place on this earth.

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  3. Such a great post. ^^
    Lovely greets ness

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  4. What an incredible opportunity! I would love to visit Ecuador!

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  5. Awesome! come to my country, Indonesia, you might like it :)

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    Replies
    1. yes, please.
      i would LOVE to see it someday.

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  6. Incredible adventure ! Reminds me why I want to volunteer abroad, to experience other cultures and in turn realize how materialistic so many things are.

    Thanks for sharing. :)

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    1. ecuador broadened my entire perspective. i wouldn't trade it for anything. thank you for reading&commenting! :)

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  7. These are such beautiful photos <3 This sounds like it was an incredible, life changing opportunity! It's so great that you got so much out of this :)

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    1. thank you!! it really was, and i'm glad you can tell how meaningful it was for me [[not everyone is a fan of the "gap year" ;) ]]

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  8. What a beautiful and amazing experience Sydni! Thanks for sharing!
    ♥♥♥
    Jeanne
    http://fashionmusingdiary.com

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  9. wow what an amazing experience
    xo
    www.laurajaneatelier.com

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  10. Dear Sydni,
    You're unique that's you make!

    Best wishes,

    hati-artshop.blogspot.com

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  11. Love the photos! This sounds like it was such a wonderful experience!

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  12. Lovely post! Thanks for sharing!

    xx
    www.mellowyellowblog.com

    ReplyDelete

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