Taking my leave

I'm starting this blog with a heavy heart and an unsettled stomach. I leave for Quito in less than 24 hours and I'm still in disbelief that I've had to say "see you in 8 months" to my friends and family. I'm so excited to go but I am scared out of my mind at the same time... it's a very strange mix of emotions that I don't think I'll be able to understand until well after I leave.

I'm thrilled and thankful to have this opportunity, grateful that my family and friends are supportive of my taking advantage of it, and eager to get this show on the road and see what Ecuador has in store for me.

On that note, I want to take a bit to explain what I'm doing exactly... maybe I should do a FAQ post!

First Semester: I'll be in Quito (the capitol city of Ecuador) living with a host family and taking classes at Fundación CIMAS del Ecuador until October 24th. A few days after that I'll move to an as-yet undetermined rural area and work with a development agency having something to do with social welfare and education for 6-7 weeks. I'll also have a second homestay wherever I'm doing my internship. I'll wrap up first semester with another week of class in Quito and then I have my first break from December 13-January 4. Hopefully it'll be Christmas in Quito for the Rusca clan...

Second Semester: Still not sure on the dates, but it's a couple of weeks of class and staying with family #1 in Quito and then back to my internship for more work and research for about 5 weeks. I go back to Quito for a week to touch base with Fundación staff and then I have February 21-March 1 off for Carnival. After Carnival, it's back to my internship again for another 5 weeks or so, and then I wrap up second semester in Quito, finishing my research papers and whatnot. As of right now, I'm coming back April 25, but if I'm able to travel or really want to continue my internship and research, I may postpone my return. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it...

[full program calendar]

So I'll be taking classes on development and social issues, etc. (all in Spanish), doing an internship having to do with social welfare, and doing research in conjunction with that internship. It's a very cool program that I'm very lucky to be a part of!

I'm nervous and scared but I know this is going to be an incredible experience. The control freak in me is having issues with letting go of the fact that I don't know in what ways I will grow and change during this trip (and in what ways people back home/studying abroad elsewhere will grow and change). I will undoubtedly change. Relationships will undoubtedly change. That's all difficult for me to grapple with, but I know it will all be for the best and that's life, really. I have this extraordinary opportunity to study and work in what I am most passionate about, and this is the best decision I can make for myself. I really appreciate all the love and support I get from you all constantly! Keep it coming; I'll need it even more once I'm there. I'm really going out on my own for this one... I'm sure the U of Minnesota students also participating will be great, but for now I'm really unsure of what to expect. Then again, it's best to not have expectations...

I'll be updating this when I can, but I don't know how often that will be as of yet. You can also reach me by email (emilyrusca@gmail.com), or by Skype (emily_rusca) or by cell phone (I'll post the number once I get it).

So with all this I take my leave. I'm not sure when I'll get internet access once I'm down there, but when I do I'll let you all know that I'm alive and well and attempting to express myself in Spanish.

¡Que les vaya bien! (I hope it all goes well for you!)

-Emily

(Quito, my new home for a while...Weather.com is telling me to expect rain in Quito for a couple of days after I arrive...awesome. Very poetic, no?)