Ecuador's Plurality of Cultures

June 1, 2015

Four months ago I hopped on a plane to Ecuador with two main goals: to perfect my Spanish skills and immerse myself in the culture. While I have improved my Spanish, it would not be entirely accurate to say that I have immersed myself in the culture. I’ve discovered that Ecuador lacks one shared culture; the resulting plurality of experiences presented me with the opportunity to explore the many facets and strata of Ecuadorian society. As both a study abroad student and an intern with two widely different organizations, I have had the opportunity to work with and befriend both Ecuadorians and foreigners from diverse backgrounds.

La Universidad San Francisco de Quito, where I take classes, is the top private university in Ecuador and attracts well-educated, well-heeled students from around the country. The atmosphere on campus, mirroring Georgetown, bears little resemblance to the greater city which surrounds it; the students drive new cars, wear the latest fashions, and talk of vacations in the Greek Isles. While the university provides scholarships to high-achieving, low-income, indigenous students, it is no secret that in Ecuador, education and money are closely linked. Growing up insulated from many of the hardships faced by other Ecuadorians, their reflections on society in class discussions are fascinating, yet one-sided.

My host family, in contrast, is proudly middle class. While it took time to adjust to their pace of life—where hot water and internet come and go without warning—I have been fortunate to experience Quito most closely through their perspective. Some of my fondest memories in Ecuador have been with them, from making empanadas for my host sister’s birthday to joining their extended family for a ceremonial Semana Santa lunch. Beyond that, they showed me how to navigate the labyrinthine public bus system, taught me a thing or two about Ecuadorian politics, and gave me locals' tips for exploring the country on a budget. The lifestyle differences between my classmates and my host family are evident, though. A special birthday meal out for my host family takes place at Pizza Hut, not the rooftop restaurant at the international hotel like for my classmates. My host mom spends her weekends selling crafts out of her shop below our apartment, not escaping to the retreat home in the countryside.

While many study abroad students interact with the middle and upper-middle classes through school or home stays, I have spent more time with people on the furthest ends of the spectrum. Income inequality in Ecuador is noticeable, particularly in the city, and comparable to the United States. The Gini coefficient, a commonly used index that measures income inequality, is 46.6 for Ecuador, just higher than the US at 41.1. The difference is that in the United States, the per capita income is nearly 10 times as large as that in Ecuador. As part of a service-learning seminar, I volunteer at a daycare center located at Quito’s main garbage dump that cares for the children of dumpster divers. By working with one of the poorest populations in Ecuador—where families live in homes made of corrugated steel and cardboard—I have taken a step toward understanding the lives of people with the fewest resources. Admittedly, the impact and sustainability of my actions are limited, but I still find immense value in interacting with a culture and society that bears little resemblance to the one with which I interact at home or school.

I also spent significant time with Americans with whom I work alongside at the US Embassy. By virtue of maintaining the same quality of life as in the United States, their lifestyle is one of the most privileged in a country like Ecuador. It is exciting to maintain a hold on my American tendencies with them, brunching and streaming the Super Bowl in HD. However, I felt most removed from Ecuadorian society when separated by gated communities and diplomatic plates. If I return to work in Ecuador or another Latin American country, it is likely that I will again have access to the lifestyle privileges that come with American citizenship and paychecks. My time in Ecuador has taught me that those privileges will only shield me from the most meaningful experiences if I do not interact with locals from all strata of society.

Opens in a new window