[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/news\/files\/2024\/11\/IMG_4642-3-1-scaled.jpg” title_text=”IMG_4642 3″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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<\/a>. Led by Tara Mathien, Ed.D.<\/a>, 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The experience began in Quito, where students stayed with host families, visiting several local schools.<\/span><\/p>\n “I learned a lot about bilingual education and language preservation during our school visits,” said Saya Oka, an education sciences international student. \u201cIt was interesting to see them teach English and Spanish at the same time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The trip\u2019s cultural immersion left a lasting impact on the students, especially experiences with Indigenous communities who are working to preserve their native traditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “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.<\/span><\/p>\n The students had the opportunity to shadow teachers, read stories to classes, and engage with students at several schools.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt was really amazing to see the ways that you can overcome the language barrier and interact with students,\u201d said Kelsly Chatraw, an elementary education senior. \u201cStudents 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n After Quito, the group traveled to the Galapagos Islands where they focused on culture, wildlife conservation, and education.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe got to volunteer at an educational camp. We got to reach out to the community, teach, and provide a fun experience for the kids,\u201d said Chatraw. \u201cIt wasn’t a direct school experience, but I enjoyed getting involved in the community and interacting with the children and families there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Outside of education, students also had the opportunity to explore the area in unstructured ways.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c\u200b\u200bWe got to learn about some of the foods that are culturally important to Ecuador. I got to learn how to make empanadas,\u201d said Chatraw. \u201cWe also got to visit a volcano and a lagoon. I would say seeing sea lions was definitely a highlight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The students\u2019 experience culminated in a final project, where they reflected on their time abroad and recorded the insights gained from their time abroad.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “It has always been my dream to go to the Galapagos since I was in elementary school,\u201d said Saya Oka. \u201cIt was really cool that my dream came true.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n All undergraduate UF students in good standing with at least a 2.5 GPA are welcome to apply to the Summer A 2025 <\/span>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 <\/span>UF Study Abroad Services<\/span><\/a> site.<\/span><\/p>\n Saya Oka<\/p>\n Kelsly Chatraw<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” column_structure=”1_2,1_2″][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_2″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_text=”431B9EC9-3310-4624-919B-E0EA15A2E3F8″ src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/news\/files\/2024\/11\/431B9EC9-3310-4624-919B-E0EA15A2E3F8-scaled.jpg” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_2″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_text=”Frame 41″ src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/news\/files\/2024\/11\/Frame-41.jpg” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":70,"featured_media":24034,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"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<\/a>. Led by Tara Mathien, Ed.D.<\/a>, 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.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe experience began in Quito, where students stayed with host families, visiting several local schools.<\/span>\r\n\r\n\"I learned a lot about bilingual education and language preservation during our school visits,\" said Saya Oka, an education sciences international student. \u201cIt was interesting to see them teach English and Spanish at the same time.\u201d<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe trip\u2019s cultural immersion left a lasting impact on the students, especially experiences with Indigenous communities who are working to preserve their native traditions.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n\"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.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe students had the opportunity to shadow teachers, read stories to classes, and engage with students at several schools.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n\u201cIt was really amazing to see the ways that you can overcome the language barrier and interact with students,\u201d said Kelsly Chatraw, an elementary education senior. \u201cStudents 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.\u201d<\/span>\r\n\r\nAfter Quito, the group traveled to the Galapagos Islands where they focused on culture, wildlife conservation, and education.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n\u201cWe got to volunteer at an educational camp. We got to reach out to the community, teach, and provide a fun experience for the kids,\u201d said Chatraw. \u201cIt wasn't a direct school experience, but I enjoyed getting involved in the community and interacting with the children and families there.\u201d<\/span>\r\n\r\nOutside of education, students also had the opportunity to explore the area in unstructured ways.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n\u201c\u200b\u200bWe got to learn about some of the foods that are culturally important to Ecuador. I got to learn how to make empanadas,\u201d said Chatraw. \u201cWe also got to visit a volcano and a lagoon. I would say seeing sea lions was definitely a highlight.\u201d<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe students\u2019 experience culminated in a final project, where they reflected on their time abroad and recorded the insights gained from their time abroad.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n Saya Oka<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n Kelsly Chatraw<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n
Let’s check an item off your bucket list!<\/h2>\n
\"It has always been my dream to go to the Galapagos since I was in elementary school,\u201d said Saya Oka. \u201cIt was really cool that my dream came true.\u201d<\/span><\/blockquote>\r\nAll undergraduate UF students in good standing with at least a 2.5 GPA are welcome to apply to the Summer A 2025 <\/span>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 <\/span>UF Study Abroad Services<\/span><\/a> site.<\/span>\r\n\r\n\r\n
Let's check an item off your bucket list!<\/h2>\r\n\r\n