Same journey, different takeaways: Reflections from a 10-day NUS study trip to Ecuador

From immersive overseas study trips to community engagement and internships, experiences beyond the classroom form an integral part of the NUS student journey. These opportunities enable students to apply classroom learning in real-world settings while broadening their perspectives.

Earlier this year, 17 students from the Global Studies Programme at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) had the opportunity to embark on a 10-day field immersion trip to Ecuador to experience the country's environmental landscapes, Indigenous communities, political institutions and social dynamics as part of the NUS Study Trips for Engagement and EnRichment (STEER) initiative.

More than an opportunity to explore one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, the programme was a rare chance to see familiar issues through unfamiliar perspectives. Through shared experiences, such as trekking through forests and engaging with local communities, students examined Ecuador through different academic lenses and returned with insights that extended far beyond their individual disciplines.

Three students — Chloe Ribbon Chan, Kelyn Chan and Samuel Loh — share their reflections on how one journey inspired different ways of seeing and understanding the world, as well as fostered a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of environmental, political, social and cultural issues.

One journey, many lessons

For anyone passionate about biodiversity and conservation, a trip to the Galapagos islands, a volcanic archipelago in Ecuador, can be considered a pilgrimage. Indeed, for Samuel, a third-year Environmental Studies undergraduate at the Faculty of Science, this was a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

“I was in awe of the sheer biodiversity that roamed free and frequently lived amongst urban areas, providing the group with a unique lived experience quite unlike anywhere else on earth,” he said.

For example, students learnt how the unique geography of Ecuador's cloud forests and alpine tundra directly influenced water and resource management in the capital of Quito and other parts of Ecuador. They even had the opportunity to dive amongst shoals of critically endangered Scalloped Hammerheads and witness Blue-footed Boobies and Frigatebirds soaring high above during a visit to Kicker Rock.

“We also got our hands dirty by participating in various habitat restoration initiatives to strengthen ecological corridors that facilitate the movement of flora and fauna across increasingly fragmented habitats, connecting Ecuador with other biodiversity hotspots in Latin America,” said Samuel.

While Ecuador's extraordinary biodiversity left a lasting impression on many students, others found themselves equally captivated by the people and cultures that shaped the country's relationship with its rich natural world.

For Chloe, a final-year Sociology and Political Science major who is also pursuing a Minor in Religious Studies, one of the most fulfilling parts of the Ecuador trip was realising how much she could learn from people outside her own discipline.

“I was especially fascinated by the Indigenous communities we learned about. What struck me most was how many of them spoke about their natural surroundings as something to live alongside, rather than manage or control. They had a deep sense respect for the environment. It made me realise how culture and belief matter in sustainability matters, as much as policy does,” she said.

Looking beyond culture and community, the programme also provided a window into the institutions and policies that shape everyday life in Ecuador.

“Coming on the trip, I was particularly interested in understanding how Ecuador navigates challenges in development, environmental governance, and social inequality,” added Kelyn, also a final-year Political Science major.

Throughout the programme, she gained valuable insights into how political decisions shape national priorities and directly affect local communities. Students also connected with their counterparts from Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), whose local perspectives and lived experiences offered a deeper understanding of Ecuador beyond what they could learn in the classroom.

"Speaking with students and community leaders helped me appreciate that many of the challenges Ecuador faces are complex and interconnected. It reinforced the importance of understanding different perspectives when thinking about governance and public policy," Kelyn said.

Experiencing Ecuador’s natural environment firsthand through hikes in Quito and snorkelling in the Galapagos further amplified this experience and underscored how challenges regarding sustainability, conservation and climate change transcend national borders, including for Singapore.

Kelyn said, “Ultimately, the Ecuador STEER programme reminded me that the study of politics is not confined to textbooks or lecture halls. Rather, it is rooted in lived experiences and sustained engagement with communities on the ground.”

Reflecting on the trip, the students agreed that Ecuador was not just a destination, but a chance to see familiar issues through unfamiliar perspectives. No matter their field of study, they all came home having learnt something they had not expected.

The Ecuador STEER programme exemplifies the value of interdisciplinary and experiential learning within FASS through opportunities for students to engage directly with communities, environments and institutions, while applying classroom learning in real-world contexts.

This is a story contribution by the office of the Global Studies Programme at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.