<p>I’m planning to do a Spanish immersion course in Quito, Ecuador, and then take a trip around the country by myself. I’m a slim girl, and I am ginger, so I will stand out and fail to look threatening. Family seemed perfectly fine with it until I stupidly shared the US government’s travel advice for Ecuador. I will quote part of it here to give you an idea:</p>
<p>“Crime in Ecuador continues to occur at a dramatically high rate and is often violent. American citizens have been victims of crimes, including but not limited to homicides, armed assaults, kidnappings, robberies, sexual assaults, and home invasions. American citizens have also been victims of violent crime on beaches, both at popular tourist destinations and in remote areas. Low rates of apprehension and conviction of criminals contribute to Ecuadors high crime rate.”</p>
<p>Personally am also a bit daunted by this warning, but still find the thought of the country very appealing: rain forests, mountains, indigenous cultures… I still want to go there! Am I being absolutely silly and irresponsible for wanting to go? Would you allow your college kids to travel there? Can you think of anything I could promise / say to my mom to ease her worries?</p>
<p>P.S. I have studied abroad and traveled in Europe extensively, often on my own. Never had any problems.</p>
<p>Well, as a parent, I can see why they might be worried. Any chance of travelling with a partner or group? Are there other students in your immersion program who are interested, perhaps, in joining you? Or maybe a guided group you could join?</p>
<p>My son went there for about 10 days a couple of years ago and didn’t have much problem. But he is male and travelled with a friend. The things to be careful about are having your valuables stolen. Don’t leave anything out in the open, be very careful with credit cards and cash and your passport.</p>
<p>Having said that though, I would be very hesitant to send a child travelling by themselves.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses so far. Like keepittoyourself I’m not too worried myself: things could happen anywhere and even if the risks are much greater in Ecuador, I will probably still have no problems whatsoever. However, I do sympathise with mom.</p>
<p>Understand the sentiment about traveling alone. However, I don’t feel like a child myself (though I understand it’s always different from a parent’s perspective) having lived and studied in Europe for a few years now. Unfortunately, none of my friends are interested or they lack time and money, and I do like being independent - tours can be rather dull, hurried and make you feel like you might have stayed at home watching Discovery Channel and get the same experience.</p>
<p>When you get to know the other students in your Spanish course, you will certainly find out that some of them plan to travel a bit after the course ends. There is every chance that at least one of those people will be a reasonably compatible traveling companion for you. Also remember that the instructors at your language institute, and the family you live with (if your course includes a home-stay) may have friends and family in other parts of the country that you can visit/check in with on your travels.</p>
<p>If you are currently in college, pop by the alumni office and get the names of alums who are in Ecuador. If your mom attended college, have her get the same kind of list from her alumni association. If you and/or your mom practice any particular religion, you can get a list of houses of worship and religious workers/communities associated with that religion. Has anyone in your family or circle of friends ever had an exchange student from Ecuador? That would be one more potential contact for you to look up and get to know once you arrive. Not that you would ever need to actually in person contact a single one of these people, but knowing that you are leaving home with a list will give your mom a bit more security.</p>
<p>FWIW, before a family trip to Australia several years ago, I contacted the alums there from my alma mater. We got wonderful (and often completely contradictory) advice about where to go and what to do, and we ended up enjoying a wild evening of Aussie Rules Football with a graduate ten years younger than I, her charming husband, and her footy-mad brother-in-law. Who knows what your potential contacts can do for you!</p>
<p>I have travelled extensively, and never been to South America myself, but I often met people who had been there. (The place just doesn’t appeal to me, for some reason).</p>
<p>One place that is reputedly dangerous is Brazil. I know this is just anecdata, but I did meet a western girl who had been sexually assaulted at gunpoint in Brazil. Never heard anything like that about Ecuador.</p>