Week one of internship

Study abroad. This is something I have been thinking about, mentally preparing for, and anticipating for over 6 months. Well, life came in hot, and alas, I am here! I am a little over two weeks into my time in Quito and everyday has been a new and exciting adventure. The first week in Quito was intense orientation. The four Trinity students were the first to arrive and we were able to spend the whole first day unpacking and mentally preparing for the 28 students that were coming in that evening all from Azuza Pacific University in California. Talk about culture shock times two. I have loved getting to know the apu kids, the staff and R.C.'s, the professors, and some of the Ecuadorians here throughout the past couple weeks. Orientation basically taught us safety, how to avoid being pit-pocketed, what food to eat & what food NOT to eat (#eatstreetanddie), how to maneuver the city, and a break down of what the next 3.5 months are going to look like. Orientation week also included zip-linning, going to mitald del mundo (middle of the world), getting empenadas in Colonial Quito, going on scavengar hunts ( kind of like amazing race), and so much more fun stuff! Week two was when reality kicked in. Most students began their classes they were taking and I began my internship. It is a different and weird feeling to be the only student who actually is in a full-time internship, but my time at Alliance Academy has been rewarding so far! My first day was mostly logistical. I have some paper work to go through and was able to get a tour of the building, I went over my schedule with my supervisor, and we discussed a bit about what my time will look like at Alliance. It is clear that there are a ton of really great opportunities for me here, but a lot of it requires me stepping out of my comfort zone and asking people where I can get plugged in. My supervisor told me about a high school girls retreat coming up in March that I could potentially be a leader for, this was a huge answer to prayer considering leaving my role on Trinity's campus as the leader of the Women's Ministry was difficult, but this is a great opportunity to continue to mentor and poor into girls. This has been a piece of what I've been working on since i've gotten to my internship. A few other things I have done is shadowed the elementary counseling classes in the morning and observe one of the teachers who talks to the students about substance abuse or addictions, eventually she is going to allow me to lead a couple, but for now it is good experience to observe this and see how kids understand these kinds of topics and the difference between American children and Ecuadorian children in the ways they respond and receive has been extremely interesting. Yesterday I helped prepare for a DNA group (discipleship, nurturing, authority?) In this group we had three high school students that we mentored and worked with. I prepared questions that we went through with them and then we did some grown-up coloring pages. They were a fun bunch to spend time with and I felt encouraged by how much they were willing to engage in conversation. As of now, Alliance Academy cannot fulfill all of the hours I need, so starting next week I will be looking into a second internship opportunity. I am eager to begin doing some direct practice such as counseling and working and mentoring students at Alliance. As for now, it is a great opportunity to be learning from other professionals and continuing to grow in my social work skills. Much love all the way from Quito, Megan