This blog is to keep in touch with friends and family from different parts of the world as I serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador from February 2008 until April 2010. I will be writing about my adventures in this beautiful and fascinating country as I try to help Ecuadorians, especially the indigenous Awá people, find solutions to their daily problems. Most importantly, I will be sharing ideas, laughters and sorrow with these wonderful people, living it up in Ecuador!
You can comment directly on this blog or send me an email:
You can also send me stuff by snail mail:
Fred Schick, PCV
Cuerpo de Paz
Casilla 10-01-087
Ibarra Imbabura
Ecuador
Feel free to give me a call: +(593-9) 796-2832
Here’s a little background information about me for all of you who stumble across my blog:
I was born in Paris, France from and American dad and a French mom, giving me dual citizenship. My family travelled a lot between their two countries as I was groing up but most of my schooling was completed in France, in a Parisian ‘banlieue’. I then went to college in Boston University where I got a degree in Economics that really didn’t inspire me much, quite the opposite actually so I returned to Europe and landed in Barcelona, Spain where I taught languages (English & French) and reflected on the meaning of life, most specifically my own existence. What a great place to get epiphanies, let me tell you!!
Barcelona was a life changing experience and after three and a half years, it was heart breaking to leave my most beloved city in the world. I left for an honorable reason however and for another charming destination, the capital of Scotland. I did a Masters in Ecological Economics at the University of Edinburgh (which I recommend to everyone interested in finding viable solutions to our global crises) and enjoyed the highly stimulative vibe that reigns in this mystical city. I returned to Paris trying to land an entry-level job in a cool NGO, even offered to volunteer for a micro-financial organization but was unlucky. Frustrated and anxious, I left for Cameroon to do a short development mission with a French NGO that completed a very productive year 2005. I then left for Puebla, Mexico to live with my girlfriend and immerse myself once again in a new culture. It was a lovely period for my relationship but extremely frustrating professionally as I rapidly got fed up with teaching languages and was eager pursue a career in sustainable development. Hence I departed once again after about 8 months in Mexico and headed to the USA. This is where I got an internship position with EcoVentures International based in Washington, DC and later became full time staff as a training coordinator.
I have been living in the nation’s capital for about a year and a half now, a pretty decent place to live by all standards, but I am also glad to continue my journey in Ecuador.
You are all more than welcome to join me!
