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Dexter High School Student Will Begin Study Program in Ecuador

Sophomore Bethany Shiguango wants to learn about her family's history and culture.

When school resumes in September, one sophomore will be heading far away to spend the first six months studying in the birthplace of her father.

Bethany Shiguango, who just celebrated her 15th birthday, was accepted into the St. Dominic School in Quito, Ecuador. Quito is located in the Andes Mountains, 9,200 feet above sea level.

Bethany wants to travel abroad to learn Spanish and study her family's history, she said.

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"I want to become more aware of a culture different than mine," she said.

The soccer and basketball player said she will miss various sports seasons, including watching DHS and University of Michigan football games. She'll also miss holidays including Halloween and Thanksgiving, but she looks forward to experiencing Ecuador's holidays and playing sports in another country.

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"I think at first it might be hard, but the time will probably go by fast," she said. "I think I will be a little behind socially at school when I get back, but I will catch up quickly."

Bethany said she looks forward to meeting teenagers in Ecuador and spending time with people there. She traveled with her family last summer to Ecuador and to the Galapagos Islands, a province 650 miles west of Ecuador.

"We have had many adventures in Ecuador, mostly wonderful, but some frustrating," said Cathy Bartos, Bethany's mother. "It is a very biodiverse, beautiful country with warm, friendly people for the most part."

Bartos said she is both nervous and excited for her daughter's opportunity.

"I am nervous about her being so far away from me but know the benefit of learning another language and experiencing another culture is great," she said.

Bethany believes that immersing herself in a Spanish-speaking country will be a great way to improve her language skills.

"Being bilingual will benefit me in the future, but I am not exactly sure how," she said.

Bethany will return for the third trimester of her sophomore year in March.

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