First Impressions

Our view of Cuenca from right outside our TEFL classroom

I used to think that over a month in the same city would be enough time for the city’s magic to wear off a little bit, but in the 6 weeks that I’ve been in Cuenca, Ecuador my amazement has only grown. I still have plenty of “I can’t believe I’m here” moments. During a walk down the Rio Tomebamba or a drive out of El Centro I can’t help but think about how magnificent it is to be here in this beautiful, Andean city. The warm, welcoming culture has made my experience all the more worthwhile. My host family has taken me in as their own and have been supportive in whatever way they can. Being part of a family here has been crucial to learning how strong the family values are here, in a way that is similar to but distinct from the Mexican/Filipino family values I grew up with. The strangers that I’ve encountered have been welcoming as well. While I tend to blend in with my physical appearance, the moment I open my mouth people know I’m not from here. And still, I’ve only been received with patience and kindness as I learn to find my way around the city and culture. I’ve had friendly conversations with taxi drivers, street vendors, and store owners, and even made a friend of the old lady at the papeleria who helped me as I struggled to communicate what I was looking for and who trusted me enough to ask me to watch her store for a few minutes the following week. I know there are still things that I haven’t grasped about the culture here, and I aim to learn more about the local indigenous communities, local history, and national history in the next few weeks as I have a little downtime before I start teaching.

Day 1 of TEFL at La Casa de la Makana, where we learned
about how traditional Makana shawls are made

My first month here has been focused on just that, preparing me for teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL). The TEFL program was intense since I was thrown into teaching right at the start of the program. Fortunately, I had supportive instructors, intelligent TEFL peers, and participative students during evening teaching practice. I also had the opportunity to explore outside of the Cuenca as part of the program, including a visit to La Casa de la Makana in Gualaceo, an excursion to the Ingapirca ruins, a trip to Cajas National Park (which I personally was unable to participate in but is on my to-do list), and an English lesson service project out in Principal. What more could I ask for? I learned so much in the process, and even though I am far from perfecting my teaching (do you ever get close?)  I know I’m ready to get started. I am extraordinarily grateful for all the people I’ve met in the process: Kaitlin, my adventure buddy for the year; Mark and Bea, who constantly pushed us to improve; the other TEFLers, who I developed friendship within the midst of struggle; the students in my evening classes, who each greeted me individually at the start and end of each class with the good old, Cuencana cheek kiss (that took some getting used to) and who taught me about Ecuadorian culture as I was teaching them English; and all the others at CEDEI who provided support for my adjustment to Cuenca and the TEFL program. I’m excited to take on my official teaching position with CEDEI and meet more wonderful students and peers.

Katilin and I teaching a service project English lesson in Principal

I also look forward to doing a bit more exploring. Being here in Ecuador has brought out an adventurous side of me that I didn’t know I had. I always liked traveling, but I’ve been pushing the boundaries of my usually extra-cautious self, climbing over rocks at river banks in Principal and going on long hikes that never would have interested me beforehand.  Kaitlin and I went on a post-TEFL trip with her host family to Chimborazo, the volcano that’s the highest point in Ecuador. That was a challenge for me as I consider myself unathletic and a bit clumsy, but I’m proud of myself for not giving up and for pushing myself to go all the way to the lagoon despite my fear of falling (it was a tricky descent). While I will hesitate, I’m learning to not be content just watching on the sidelines. I don’t think I can fully enjoy Ecuador’s nature without taking a few small risks, and I’m learning I can do more than I thought I could.

I’ll learn plenty more about teaching, culture, and myself in the next few months as I get settled into the Cuencana lifestyle, so stay tuned! Thanks to Mark Raderstorg and Linda Armstrong for this wonderful opportunity.

Chao chao for now!
JOSSEL FRANCO

Kaitlin and I post-TEFL, climbing on a train car in Alausí on the way to Chimborazo

My first month in Ecuador was an absolute whirlwind. I cannot believe that I am here and will be staying for an entire year. I truly don’t think that it has hit me yet. Firstly, I am absolutely amazed and impressed with CEDEI so far, especially their TEFL program. I wasn’t aware of the fact that I would be literally chauffeured around Ecuador to all of its amazing, indigenous, and prized locations with guides, fellow classmates, and teachers. We toured around Guayaquil, Gualaceo, Cajas National Park, Ingapira, Chordeleg, and Principal. All of which were equally impressive and unlike anything I have ever seen. Secondly, I could not love my host family more. They have been supportive, friendly, welcoming, and helpful to me in every way possible. I feel right at home in this city, many thanks to their hospitality. They recently took Jossel and I on a family trip with them to Chimborazo, the largest mountain in Ecuador for a weekend. On the weekend trip back from Chimborazo to Cuenca, we stopped in Alausí where we rode a train through the Andes and stopped to see indigenous dancing and El Naríz del Diablo. Honestly, the first month here in Ecuador was no joke as far as being busy. I haven’t had a fully day free in a month, but I have enjoyed being busy. The TEFL program was difficult and time consuming, but it could not have been planned nor taught better. The teaching practice hours at night were difficult at first but with feedback, I feel fully confident to teach my own classes. Class time was centered around important theory but Mark and Bea did an amazing job at making sure that we were learning what we yearned for. The VISA process is a bit scattered and confusing, but Angie Marin at CEDEI has been SO helpful with the process, and everything will be handled by next week after a short trip to Guayaquil.

I am excited to be looking for a place to live with my newfound friend, Jossel. We have a free week before teaching to find a place to live, and it has been exciting to see what our options are. It will all feel real when we live on our own in Cuenca. I cannot wait to see what my life turns into as a full time Cuencana. In general, Cuenca is extremely welcoming, family-oriented, conservative, beautiful, busy yet quiet, and full of fresh ingredients small businesses. I love Cuenca so far and cannot wait to see what this year brings me. I want to end this short blog by giving a big “thank you” to Mark and Linda Raderstorf and the Puente Grant for getting me here. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity. More blogs to come!

SALUDOS A TODOS!

Kait Kuntz

Welcome to our new grantees, Kaitlin and Jossel!

My wife, Linda Armstrong and I are pleased to offer our Year Two grants to Kaitlin Kuntz, a graduate of Ohio State, and to Jossel Franco, a graduate of Augsburg University.  Kaitlin and Jossel arrived in Cuenca, Ecuador on July 10, 2018.  They both successfully competed the Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) program at CEDEI Language School on August 10, 2018.  They will be living, working and volunteering in Cuenca through June, 2019.  This blog will capture their experiences and impressions of their time in Cuenca.  Buena suerte, Kaitlin and Jossel!