First month down

We just passed our first month of Sabrina in Ecuador, and it feels pretty good.

I hope in the future that parents of prospective study abroad students will find this blog so they can learn about what to expect.

I was really nervous when Sabrina first left. The call I feared most was "I hate this place, and I want to come home." That would have put me in a place I couldn't stand. I couldn't tell my daughter she is stuck for 10 months and I couldn't sleep at night knowing I made her do this if she didn't want to.

Fortunately for me, my daughter is much more adventurous than that. Right away I heard about the great new foods, and her host family. I heard how interesting it was, and about a list of things that Sabrina was looking forward to doing.

I did hear a little homesickness in Sabrina's voice right before school started. She arrived on Aug. 16th and was off until September 1. Having little to do, and not being comfortable with the language yet had her watching too much TV, and sleeping alot.

Now that school is on, and Sabrina has lots of activities she is perky when I call, and she is still looking forward to plenty of new adventures.

For that prospective parent, I will mention that there are some expenses to budget for. In the first month our loose expenses have been: School Uniforms $150, Mandatory Spanish class $150, Phone bill $100, 1 Fedex Package $225, Allowance $100. This is still a fraction of what going to a private school, or college costs, but it is something to plan for.

Fedex takes 6 days, and costs $225 for a small box. Sabrina had some prescription meds that our HMO will only dispense 1 month at a time. After we sent a one month supply, they agreed to do 6 months on the next one.

The phone was my mistake. Time Warner charges 30 cents per minute. Verizon charges $4 per minute. We have both services, and I picked up the Verizon line to call. Now that I am using Time Warner it will be less. If I buy a calling card it could be as low as 15 cents.

We are getting mail for Sabrina every day from colleges around the world inviting her application. I am happy that so many doors are open for her.

One unintended consequence of this trip came when I rejoined Rotary. I was so grateful for this opportunity that I made a one year commitment to help the Niskayuna Rotary.

Life is good! Fall is here!