Foreign-Born Offspring Discovers His Affinity for Latin America During a Summer of International Study in Ecuador
Jeremy Suzuki, a Georgetown University student majoring in Regional and Comparative Studies with a focus on Latin America and East Asia, recently embarked on a six-week journey to Ecuador as part of the Georgetown in Quito: Nature and Culture in Latin America program.
Based at Universidad San Francisco de Quito, the program offers an immersive experience in Spanish language learning, Latin American literature, and cultural studies, all anchored in Ecuador’s unique natural environments. For Suzuki, this meant exploring the Amazon Rainforest and the Galapagos Islands, gaining firsthand exposure to Latin American culture, nature, and society through daily interactions with locals and experiential learning.
Suzuki, who is of Japanese descent, has always been fascinated by Latin America. He started learning Spanish in sixth grade and is an active member of cultural clubs like MEChA and Guanacos at Georgetown. His interest in the region was further piqued by facing discrimination as a child due to his Japanese background and language barrier, which made him empathise with the migrant experience of many Latino families in his community.
During his time in Quito, Suzuki commuted to the university via buses, each ride costing just 35 cents. He engaged in informal conversations with local shopkeepers and street vendors to practice his university Spanish, deepening his understanding of the region's culture.
After completing the program in Quito, Suzuki visited Georgetown friends in Lima, Peru, and traveled to Colombia. His summer adventure allowed him to explore three Latin American countries, bringing to life what he has studied in the SFS classroom and reinforcing his interest in migration and regional issues.
The Georgetown in Quito program aligns with the university’s broader initiatives in regional and comparative studies, likely connecting Latin American experiences with other world regions such as East Asia in scholarly inquiry and global understanding. This educational experience enriches students’ understanding of Latin America not in isolation, but as part of the complex interplay between diverse world regions studied at Georgetown.
Suzuki returned home with treasured Ecuadorian items, including a wooden spoon and an artisanal mortar and pestle, reminders of his transformative journey in Latin America. His experience in Quito has not only deepened his passion for the region but also equipped him with a unique perspective that bridges cultures and continents.
- Jeremy Suzuki's six-week journey in Ecuador, a part of the Georgetown in Quito program, included research on regional and comparative studies, focusing on Latin America and East Asia, thereby furthering his academics and self-development.
- Suzuki's immersion in the Georgetown in Quito program allowed him to conduct extensive research on Latin American nature, culture, and society, contributing significantly to his education and lifestyle.
- The diverse environment of Ecuador, from the Amazon Rainforest to the Galapagos Islands, provided a rich setting for Suzuki's academic research, alignment with Georgetown University's initiatives in education and self-development.
- Post his return from Ecuador, Suzuki, who also traveled to Peru and Colombia, envisions using his unique perspective on Latin American culture and society in his future academics and travel endeavors, promoting diversity and cross-continental understanding.
