My name is Elise O’Brien and I am a multidisciplinary scholar, a masters student in two programs: Folklore studies and Landscape Architecture. I am also a nontraditional student and a student parent. I love to work internationally and I am involved in global research. One of my student jobs has been as a student worker working for APRU Sustainable Cities and Landscapes. I’ve loved working with people from all over since I was younger; from age 20-25 I worked at a large international hostel in Boston, and our clientele was from all over the world. One of my favorite things about University of Oregon is the friends I have made from many different countries.
Despite my experience I was very nervous to study abroad. As a nontraditional student I have sometimes felt very uncomfortable with some of my peers — out of place due to my different life experiences, and sometimes treated differently by certain students and some professors. However, the opportunity to do research in Ecuador and in Galapagos in particular which relates to both of my degrees and to my personal research outweighed the costs: financial and the time away from my children.
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I find large complex cities like Quito intimidating, but the area near to USFQ, our host university, Cumbaya, was beautiful and felt very safe. San Cristobal, the island on the Galapagos archipelago where USFQ is situated, is a beautiful place. It is a small town on the waterfront, and there is a small rural settlement in the Highlands where there is a small amount of agricultural production. USFQ is located across from a beautiful beach called Playa Mann which is covered in sea lions. I was very intimidated by staying with a host family; however, the family has a daughter the same age as my own little girl and it has been delightful to spend time with another child while I am missing my own!
It is so exciting to spend time with students from other universities. There are two graduate students from Hong Kong University who are also landscape architecture students and meeting them has been very joyful for me. A little setback I had that I hadn’t anticipated was getting a bad sunburn. Apparently 30 SPF is not enough to protect from the intense angle of the sun! Although the temperature is a moderate 70 degrees, the UV at the equator is intense.
I really need to study Spanish. It is embarrassing to me how little I know. However, it is a pleasant surprise to notice that I am slowly picking up some conversational Spanish, that I can understand a little more than expected when listening. Now I am determined to continue my study when I return home to Oregon.
By Elise O'Brien, Diverse Ducks Ambassador
Sustainable Cities and Landscapes in the Galapagos, Summer 2024