Illinois College students and local teachers immersed in culture of Ecuador via prestigious Fulbright-Hays grant

The students, all part of IC's teacher preparation program, joined six local educators as part of a prestigious grant. For the month of June, these 12 participants lived with host families, engaged in cultural activities, and visited various educational institutions.

The program, designed by IC and funded by a $96,000 federal grant from the Fulbright-Hays Program, addresses the gap in cultural education in many U.S. schools. "In our schools, lessons on history and culture often focus on Europe, neglecting the rich history and culture of Latin America," Steven Gardner, IC's Francis McReynolds Smith professor of international understanding. "With communities becoming increasingly diverse, it's essential for teachers to learn how to integrate different cultural perspectives into their classrooms."

Illinois College has fostered a strong connection with Ecuador since 2004, making it an ideal location for students and teachers from a variety of disciplines to explore intercultural practices they can bring to their rural classrooms. Over the course of the month, participants experienced Ecuadorian culture, with a special emphasis on indigenous communities such as the Saraguro. During their stay, participants lived with host families, engaged in cultural activities, and visited various educational institutions.

One hundred percent of IC graduates participate in high-impact, hands-on experiences like this one that put theory into practice. Students are encouraged to explore their academic interests, whether it be by completing an internship, conducting student-faculty research, engaging in a community project, or participating in study abroad.

Current IC students, Kate Burr '25, Julie Edwards '27, Kailee Eldridge '24, Emily Guest '26, Katie Mae Milhiser '25, and Kate Phillips '26 were partnered with local educators Ellie Abell '22, Amanda Cox, Jill Friday '97, Andrea Price '12, Adam Reed '22, Abigail Weisner '22, and Rachelle Wisehart '11 throughout various stages of the trip. Selected participants represent a range of elementary, middle, and high schools across diverse disciplines, including math, science, history, English, Spanish, and music.

Preparation for the month-long stint in Ecuador began in the spring with a series of informative sessions led by prominent figures within the Ecuadorian society and Fulbright organization. The topics of these sessions ranged from "Concepts of Culture and Identity" to "The Ecuadorian Education System."

Upon arrival, they were placed with host families in Saraguro to improve their Spanish-speaking skills and be fully immersed in Ecuadorian culture. Throughout the trip, participants attended a series of language and culture classes, seminars at the University of Cuenca, and school visits in and around the city of Cuenca. These sessions provided invaluable insights applicable to their own classrooms. Some of the topics covered included Indigenous Rights in Ecuador, the Ecuadorian Educational System, Ecuador's Diverse Society, and Agroecology and Food Sovereignty.

I'm so grateful to Illinois College for this experience. My time in Ecuador was so meaningful and valuable because it gave me a deeper understanding of a different culture, which can be difficult to convey to others. That's why it was important for us to keep journals and take pictures-to try to bring that experience back and explain it to people, even though it's challenging.

While the itinerary revolved around learning about intercultural education, students spent a week exploring the Amazon, visiting the capital city Quito, and interacting with indigenous communities such as Otavalo.

Implementing this experience into their teaching practices is this next step for each of the 12 participants. "They will develop lesson plans and engage in dialogue with their schools to diversify the curriculum," Gardner explained. "Our goal is to enrich the education system by including diverse cultural perspectives and preparing students for a globalized world."

To learn more about study abroad opportunities, visit ic.edu/breakaways

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