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Valerie Hurst

Valerie, originally born in Buffalo, New York, now happily resides in Davis, California. She attended Davis Senior High School where she was secretary of Chinese Club, volunteered for the Sierra Club, and went to state championships with the snowboarding team for two consecutive years. Her interest in learning about global issues and cultures stemmed from taking Chinese and AP Human Geography/ International Relations classes junior and senior year. A true adventurer at heart, Valerie looks for anything that's new and exciting, from trap shooting to traveling abroad for the first time with Global Citizen Year. Her goals for the year are to become fluent in a new language, try as many new foods as possible, and learn about the issues facing her country.

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Everyday Ecualife

Valerie Hurst

2014-04-11

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDTMt_9uDec&fmt=18 From home to work, check out what a day in the life looks like for me!

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Oyga, Tienes Un Novio?

Valerie Hurst

2014-03-05

“Tienes un novio?”( do you have a boyfriend?) *I pensively weigh of my options, do I make one up?* “No” I reply. Surprise is apparent, the questioning continues. No boyfriend in Ecuador? In the States? Not even one in both? Smiling, and amused by the  third option, I tell them “Soy un independiente mujer!” I’m...

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Church

Valerie Hurst

2014-03-05

I went to Loja recently with my family, where the houses are sporadic and pork is plentiful. Its actually the campo(country side) of Loja; the kind of more basic, of out in the middle of no where living that I had initially expected from my Global Citizen Year placement(since I’m living in a small city...

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Making My Way Downtown

Valerie Hurst

2013-10-10

The dogs outside are barking again, noisily chorusing amongst themselves. There’s a man from one of the surrounding apartments spitting rapid Spanish to what could only be a scorned lover. My neighborhood has woken up far before me, and from under my covers I silently plead with the buses, taxis and especially motorbikes to give me a moment of silence....

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Dare to be Different

Valerie Hurst

2013-07-22

“So how long are you gone for?” he asked. “8 months!” The look of surprise is normal now from people asking about my bridge year. When they inquire if I’ll be okay staying that long abroad, I answer with a resounding yes. I also laugh a little bit; because each time I confidently say “I’m ready,” I get...

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