Study abroad in Ecuador?

Question

There is a program at my college where I can do a study aboard for half a year in Belize or Ecuador, but I really don't know much about either place. Has anybody lived there? Would it be safe for a young woman? I have heard of kidnappings and other violent crimes. Any personal experience that might help me?

Answer 1

I would avoid Guayaquil, the big city on the coast, but overall Ecuador is a fascinating country. I lived there 2 1/2 years and got to see most of the country. I loved it. There are parts of Quito you need to be careful of too, but it's safer than Guayaquil.

There are 3 distinct regions; the Amazon basin side east of the Andes which has some unique preserves, the Sierra (the mountains) which is largely two parallel ridges with a valley in between, and the coastal plain which has some nice beaches and zillions of bananas.