I’m heading to Ecuador and couldn’t be more excited

It is hard to put into words exactly how I am feeling at this time. I am excited, happy, sad and nervous all at the same time.

Hi my name is Noah Loiselle. I am a grade 12 student at College Notre-Dame. In fewer than six weeks, I will be boarding a plane bound for Ecuador to start my exchange year. I am very blessed to have been given such an amazing once in a lifetime opportunity.

About a year ago, I approached my parents to tell them that I was interested in an exchange program through the Rotary Club of Sudbury where I would be able to go live in another country for a year. My parents knew that I had been interested in international travel for quite some time.

I applied for the program and was chosen as one of 12 students in all of Ontario to represent Canada abroad in this year’s Rotary exchange program.

Once I knew I had been chosen, the waiting began. It wasn’t until we attended a leadership camp in January that I found out my host country was going to be Ecuador. I was very happy to have been given this country, as I find it suits my interests and it was one of the countries I was originally hoping to be sent to.

I was contacted by my first host family about two weeks later. They have four children; two sons and two daughters. They seem very excited to meet me and I have been talking to them regularly through Facebook.

I also found out where in Ecuador I will be spending my year. I will be living in a town called Macas, which is situated in the south east of Ecuador. Macas is located near the Amazon jungle next to the Upano River. 

The surrounding forest is protected by the Shuar and Achuar, two native tribes. In the distance you can view the Sangay volcano, which you can see smoking during the day and glowing red at night. 

I am very excited to discover the Ecuadorian lifestyle and culture, as it is so different from ours here in Canada. I want to experience as many different things as I can during my year abroad.

I am also very excited to meet the other exchange students from around the world, who will be spending their year in Ecuador. While I am in Ecuador, I will be attending school and learning a third language.

I will also be public speaking at various schools and in communities across the region where I will be staying about Canada and what it is like to live in our beautiful country.

I am also planning to do as much humanitarian work in the local community as I can. This is something that is very important to me.

One thing is for certain, this exchange year will be a very enriching experience that I will remember throughout my life.

To follow me on my journey, visit my Facebook page, Noah’s Life In Ecuador.