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Jeffrey Fishman

Jeffrey is passionate about science, music, and working with children. During high school, he was involved with Catalyst for Success, a nonprofit organization that strives to promote S.T.E.M. education among elementary school students by performing stimulating, hands-on experiments with the children. He also played the flute and piano, played soccer, and was involved with his school's Spanish Club, Key Club, and newspaper. His goals for his gap year are to improve his Spanish, to learn about Ecuadorian culture and traditions, and to get involved in his new community as much as possible. His favorite quote is by the American poet, Bill Copeland, "Try to be like the turtle - at ease in your own shell."

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My Capstone (Where I’m at Post-Ecuador)

Jeffrey Fishman

2019-05-24

It’s hard for me to believe that I left Ecuador almost two months ago. As I sit in my house in the United States writing this blog post, everything still feels a little weird. I spent the last seven months creating this second life for myself halfway across the globe. Then, on April 3rd, I...

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My Final Community Project (Preserving Kichwa Folktales)

Jeffrey Fishman

2019-04-02

I can’t believe that my time here in Ecuador is coming to an end! The days have truly flown by in the blink of an eye. I have learned so much over these past seven months, and I know that I am returning to the U.S. as a better version of myself. Before leaving Ecuador,...

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College Decision Day (One Year Later!)

Jeffrey Fishman

2019-03-25

It’s crazy how much can change in a year. I began my senior year of high school as your typical overscheduled, overstressed, and overworked student. I was president of the National Honor Society and Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper. I played the flute in my school’s band and soccer for my travel team. I was taking...

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Journey to the Galápagos (My Family Came to Visit!)

Jeffrey Fishman

2019-03-06

I recently got back from the most amazing trip with my family to the Galápagos Islands! My parents and my sister, Claire, came to visit me in Ecuador for a week, and it was so great to have them finally see my second home. We had so much fun during our action-packed vacation, and I’m...

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My Apprenticeship (the past, the present, the future)

Jeffrey Fishman

2018-11-18

As I sit on my bed writing this blog post, I am currently stuck in my house due to a citywide transportation strike in Ibarra. Not only are the taxi and bus systems not running, but the taxi drivers have also lined up their vehicles to blockade the highway and other parts of the city....

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Stories (and Lessons) from My First Few Weeks in Ecuador!

Jeffrey Fishman

2018-09-27

I can’t believe that it has been about a month since I have left the United States to spend a year in Ecuador, living with a host family, learning Spanish, and working with a local organization in my new community. After leaving Pennsylvania, I spent a week at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, for...

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