We wrapped up our semester with a weekend full of reflections, discussions, relaxing and fun at El Refugio where we had the decompression and processing time we needed to close out our time together here in Ecuador.
Friday evening students returned from their service placements to Quito.Reunited!Friday night once all the students had returned we made our way to El Refugio, a retreat center just outside the town of Calacalí. Saturday was a full day of presentations, coffee and hot chocolate. While at their service placements, students conduct an “action-research” investigative project of a subject of their choice or in collaboration with a need of the organization they were working with. Sophia’s presentation incorporated an activity that really stumped us! Anna sharing about Corporation Yunguilla and small community cooperatives at her service placement. Alexa sharing about a sustainability plan she is collaborating with her organization to create specifically for a new flower farm they are initiating. Jackson and the local economy of Pedro Vicente MaldonadoSimon’s research project sought to investigate how western and andean music mix and relate to each other in today’s society.
To supplement his presentation he performed a piece for us on his oboe that specifically reflected some of the interconnectedness between western and indigenous music style and culture The dish crew! … Thanks folks!Saturday night bonfire. Sunday breakfastSunday morning, Palm Sunday, we offered an optional hike up the mountains surrounding the refugio… a gorgeous day!! 2000ft of elevation in an hour… it was very steep.Nina led us in a series of workshops Sunday afternoon and Monday morning sessions called “Telling your SST story” Sophia and JacksonIndependent reflection timeMonday Klever joined us for lunch and afternoon activities. Celebrating the end of term and Anna’s birthday today!Carolina, Celeste and EricaAnna, Carissa and SashaStudents created word clouds as a part of processing the experience. The larger the word, the more emphasis given. Students were really thoughtful and insightful. Some words included: grace, perspective, uncertainty, relationships, kindness, minga, support, chevere, laughter.Skylar, Andrew and Klever playing cards Monday evening after dinnerHeaded to the airport! Ready for home.
Thanks to those of you out there following along our journey these last months! Nina and I so appreciated our students this semester. They were incredibly caring, always supportive and inclusive of one another within the group and those who we met. They wrestled deeply with our journal prompts, always bringing forth very thoughtful, compassionate, and humble insights and comments to complex subjects. And we so valued their commitment and motivation to form lasting intercultural connections and relationships while they were here. Great things are ahead for each of you, dios les pague, stay in touch!
