IUS Times

A life-changing summer in Ecuador

When Graham Lincoln, a sophomore English major, came back to the United States after three weeks of living and teaching children in Ecuador through Magdalena Herdoiza-Estevez's Explorations of Diversity Education class, his views on life changed dramatically. "My journey in Ecuador was enlightening, opening my eyes to aspects of culture and society that I had not expected to experience," he said. "Our travels in Ecuador inspired me to consider becoming a teacher, as I realized the influence that one person can have in a classroom and within an entire school system." Lincoln said the citizens of Ecuador were welcoming, embracing, and open to sharing perspectives about teaching methods, politics, and culture.

Students enrolled in the class met to discuss teaching assignment and topics to cover prior to the journey. Once in Quito, participants spent their mornings observing and teaching at public and private schools.

After the trip ended, students were to write reflections about the experience and prepare a research paper and memoir of photos taken. Sarah Korte, another student who explained the impact of the trip, wrote in her reflections, "It has been difficult to deal with all of my new thoughts and reflect on my experience while trying to resume normal life. Life cannot resume to its previous normalcy because I am not that person anymore. Things should be different, and I should feel different. If not, then the experience would have been wasted."

Herdoiza-Estevez said the program has grown stronger with increased links to the local schools, quality collaboration, more partnerships, and more in-depth research by students. "Our support to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Literacy Centers and our visits to the community of San Gerardo really make a difference," she said. "The community welcomes us as their old friends, and this is very moving as was seeing the computers we donated last year working in the community center."

This year, ten computers, one printer, and 24 boxes of supplies were shipped compliments of United Parcel Service to UNESCO Literacy Centers, the Afro American Center for Diversity and Intercultural Dialogue, and the Quitumbe public schools.

"Our travels in Ecuador inspired me to consider becoming a teacher, as I realized the influence that one person can have in a classroom and within an entire school system." Graham Lincoln

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