From classroom floors to Galapagos sands, EduGators immersed themselves in a six-week journey exploring the education, families, and culture of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Led by Tara Mathien, Ed.D., the experience offered EduGators a deep dive into bilingual education, Ecuadorian life, and wildlife conservation. This summer program was designed to be a hands-on learning experience where students can learn about the education and culture of the country by interacting with it.
The experience began in Quito, where students stayed with host families, visiting several local schools.
“I learned a lot about bilingual education and language preservation during our school visits,” said Saya Oka, an education sciences international student. “It was interesting to see them teach English and Spanish at the same time.”
The trip’s cultural immersion left a lasting impact on the students, especially experiences with Indigenous communities who are working to preserve their native traditions.
“We visited a school where I think more than 90% of students were Indigenous people. It was amazing to learn what they are doing to preserve their Indigenous language,” said Oka.
The students had the opportunity to shadow teachers, read stories to classes, and engage with students at several schools.
“It was really amazing to see the ways that you can overcome the language barrier and interact with students,” said Kelsly Chatraw, an elementary education senior. “Students are students, they remain the same no matter where you’re at. Whether here in the States or here in Ecuador, we’re all people, we’re all students.”
After Quito, the group traveled to the Galapagos Islands where they focused on culture, wildlife conservation, and education.
“We got to volunteer at an educational camp. We got to reach out to the community, teach, and provide a fun experience for the kids,” said Chatraw. “It wasn’t a direct school experience, but I enjoyed getting involved in the community and interacting with the children and families there.”
Outside of education, students also had the opportunity to explore the area in unstructured ways.
“We got to learn about some of the foods that are culturally important to Ecuador. I got to learn how to make empanadas,” said Chatraw. “We also got to visit a volcano and a lagoon. I would say seeing sea lions was definitely a highlight.”
The students’ experience culminated in a final project, where they reflected on their time abroad and recorded the insights gained from their time abroad.
“It has always been my dream to go to the Galapagos since I was in elementary school,” said Saya Oka. “It was really cool that my dream came true.”
All undergraduate UF students in good standing with at least a 2.5 GPA are welcome to apply to the Summer A 2025 UF in Quito – Supporting Children, Families, and Education program. The deadline to apply is February 6, 2025. For more information on the program, visit the UF Study Abroad Services site.
Saya Oka
Kelsly Chatraw
