REFERENCES:

 

 

September 9, 2011

To Whom It May Concern,


I am Director of EcuaExplora, a volunteer, intern and study abroad organization based in Quito, Ecuador that includes several prominent, U.S. and U.K. third party providers among its organizational partners.

While I arrange the service partnerships and manage most of the logistics for my participants, I have depended on Alma Ecuador to organize excursions for my individual volunteers and travel logistics for my larger customized programs. Alma Ecuador has an extensive network of tourism partners throughout Ecuador. But more importantly, Alma's philosophy of supporting Ecuadorian owned and operated businesses, planning excursions that break out of the tourist bubble and engage travelers in dialogues on the diverse cultures and traditions and the socio-economic realities of Ecuador has complemented my programs curriculum for social change and justice perfectly. Further, Alma also can offer a range of safe and innovative adventure excursions that are just plain fun!

Pablo and his staff have always supported me 100% and been a tremendous auxiliary team to allow me to accommodate large groups and never have to stress that Alma Ecuador would come through on the logistics and last details. Alma has worked tirelessly to build and expand its network of partners, while managing to maintain genuine relationships with its partners around the country, making for a more enriching and authentic
experience for participants. I highly recommend them to any organization or university looking for an in-country partner that will create the exact experience you are seeking!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Kate McConnell, Director
EcuaExplora
kate@ecuaexplora.org

 

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August 31, 2011

 

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to recommend Alma Ecuador to work with you during your trip abroad.  I am a senior nursing student at Colorado Mesa University (formerly Mesa Sate College) and was part of a educational trip in July 2011 to Ecuador. I was the student leader for our group and organized fundraiser collecting money and a variety of medical supplies that we donated to the clinics and hospitals in Quito where we visited and observe their daily procedures.

I cannot say enough good things about Alma Ecuador.  Pablo and Isabelle were professional and available to our group at all times.  In addition they were very flexible and able to meet our needs very effectively and timely.  The excursions that were planned were fantastic and our group was very satisfied with our trip and would recommend them to any group planning a trip to Ecuador.  We are planning on going again next year!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email me.

 

Sincerely,

Keri Dennison
Senior Nursing Student
Colorado Mesa University
kdenniso@mavs.coloradomesa.edu

 

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2004 Randolph Avenue
St. Paul, MN  55105

 

September  20, 2011

 

To whom it may concern:

I am writing in recommendation of Pablo Proano and Alma Ecuador’s coordination services for academic programs in Ecuador.  I am a professor of occupational therapy at St.Catherine University and we have used Alma Ecuador’s services for the last three years in bringing occupational therapy students to Ecuador for a service learning course.  In 2011, I was the coordinator of our trip and worked with Pablo extensively before and during our trip. 

 

Pablo is very easy to work with and responded to my emails and questions in a timely manner.  We were able to give him our ideas and he transformed them into an itinerary that met all our needs.   With feedback and suggestions, he has helped to improve our trip each year.  While in Ecuador, it was very easy to communicate with Pablo and Alma Ecuador and any problems that arose were taken care right away.  I was able to focus on the needs of my students knowing that all the other details were taken care of. 

 

St. Kate’s OT program is already working on our 4th trip to Ecuador in June of 2012 and we continue to work with Pablo and Alma Ecuador.  In summary, I would highly recommend Pablo Proano and Alma Ecuador for coordination of any academic program in Ecuador.  Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions.

 

Sincerely,

Paula Rabaey

 

Paula Rabaey MS, OTR/L
Assistant Professor OSOT Dept
2004 Randolph Ave
Mail Stop F-25
St. Paul, MN 55105
651-690-6026