Read Part 1 of this post here.

In my last post, I wrote a bit about the overall experience of living with seven different Central American families.  In order to truly give my friends and family a glimpse into the diversity and richness of my experience here, I'd now like to give a brief portrait of each family I stayed with.

Length of Stay: 3 weeks
Setting: Urban
Location: Quetzaltenango (Xela), Guatemala, the second-largest city in Guatemala, located in the Western highlands of the country.  My house was located in the 1st zone of the city, a two-minute walk from the Spanish school and a 10-minute walk from the Central Park.
House: Large, 1-story house with an attached small factory where the family produces sports uniforms for the local schools. The family has a dog and two birds.
Family makeup: 5 people​ - grandmother, father, mother, two daughters (15 and 20)
​Religion: Evangelical Christians
Biggest challenge: Because of their deep faith, my host family had a way of seeing the world and understanding things that at times felt very foreign to me.  In our conversations, though, I learned a lot, and I think they learned a lot from me as well!
Best memory: I became very close with my host sister - her sass and intelligence reminded me a lot of my own sister - and I got to celebrate her 15th birthday with her!

​A few days ago, my six fellow students and I returned from the last of our SEVEN different family stays (each!) over our fifteen weeks here.  I'm back with my Managua family, who I've been living with for almost three weeks and who I'll stay with for the rest of the program.

When I started this blog, I set three goals for myself: (1) to share my experience, (2) to reflect, and (3) to "serve as a resource for students who want to study abroad in non-traditional locations like Central America."  My my...two-month-ago Katie set some lofty goals.  The thing is, while I feel like I've made steps toward accomplishing the first two of these, I don't feel as though I've addressed the final one: of offering my "wisdom" to the world.  

Of course, a primary reason for this is that I'm not really sure that I necessarily have much wisdom to share: I see myself, right now at least, as the learner rather than the teacher.  It feels like every day I meet someone different, do something I've never done before, and learn something new.   But these new experiences have taught me many things, one of which I'd like to offer to you now.

It’s dawning on me that I’ve been exceptionally lame about maintaining this blog since I left Guatemala.  There are a few reasons for that: First, I was very busy with program activities in Costa Rica – much more so than in Guatemala.  Between speakers, class, and three different homestays, I simply found it hard to find time to sit down and reflect.  I guess that’s what this week (fall break) was for. 

Leah, my friend and traveling companion, spent HOURS making this incredible video summarizing our time in Guatemala.  It features music by everyone's favorite singer, Pitbull.

Check it out! (Note: If you're in some countries - like Guatemala - you may not be able to watch it on your cellphone, so do it on your computer instead!)

You can see Leah's blog here! 

This post is all about food.  Prepare your imagination and your taste buds.

One of the most exciting things about traveling is experiencing new cuisines, and my time in Guatemala was no exception.  Readers who know me will know that my sensitive stomach doesn't tolerate dairy, egg, or beef, so you may be wondering, Is this post going to be full of weird vegan, hippie seeds and stuff? 

Actually, no! The bean, rice, corn, and fruit laden diet of Guatemala was absolutely perfect for me.  Sure, I had to adjust to having three very full meals a day instead of just wandering around my kitchen or campus looking for snacks when I feel hungry (what I do at home).  But the food was worth it, as you'll see...

Hi friends, family, and randos on the internet! Welcome to my blog.

I wasn't initially planning on writing a blog while abroad. I assumed I'd be too busy. I wasn't necessarily wrong. 

But, as I walk around Xela, I'm constantly struck by ideas of what to write about and by experiences I want to share with people back home. 

So I did a little research on blogging while abroad. I found a lovely little article where Cara Rousseau, the Duke University Social Media Manager who I've worked with in the past and look up to greatly, sings the praises of blogging.  Consider me convinced.