Why Paraguay?

If only I got a nickel for everytime I was asked this, damn I would be rolling in the nickels. The truth is I don't really remember. My mom went to Brasil the summer after she graduated high school and before she went to college. Although she was there for only a summer she refers to it often and is clearly an experience that forever changed her life and contributed to growth as a person and future. She always said this was the best time for a year abroad. A time when I didn't have heavy responsibilities like a family or paying the bills and I could enjoy the culture. A time when I still had the energy and desire to try new things and the resilience to overcome the inevitable difficulties. Then there was the question of college. Originally I thought I would apply to colleges and see where I got in and if there was one I liked right off the bat I would go. However, I couldn't help but feel that if I passed up the opportunity to go abroad I would regret it for the rest of my life. I was blessed and got into my first choice school but chose to defer and come to Paraguay and although I have sometimes questioned that decision, there will be no regret at the end of my time here. So that is my decision to go abroad, now why Paraguay? Well, I wanted to do community service in South America. My father is from Ecuador and although I've had the great fortune to visit many times the only way to fully explore a culture is to live in it. When in Ecuador I observe my father and actually see quite a great deal of myself in him. His youthful humor and outgoing personality when he was comfortable were aspects I especially identified with. College years are supposed to be about finding yourself so I figured I may as well start with where half of who I am comes from. That narrowed down the continents and I was left with the options of Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Paraguay. I talked to returnees from the Dominican Republic and Paraguay. Initally I was more interested in the Dominican Republic but the guy I talked to was not so enthusiastic and the girl who had gone to Paraguay was full of energy and excitement and was already getting money together to back and visit. At that point I knew nothing more than what she had told me about Paraguay and I liked that. It was completely unknown and with that came no expectations so I chose to apply to Paraguay.