Service and Learning in the Galápagos Islands and Ecuador
July 24, 2026
The Global Program at Purcell Marian has a simple goal: to give our students the opportunity to engage in meaningful ways with diverse cultures from around the world. This year, that mission was embodied by six Cavalier students and two teachers who went on an adventure-filled Service-Learning trip to the Galápagos Islands and Ecuador.
The Galápagos Islands
Their excursion began on Santa Cruz Island, where they trekked to Los Gemelos (the Twin Craters) and explored the lava tunnels. Next, they ventured to Rancho El Chato Giant Tortoise Natural Reserve, where students walked amongst some of the oldest Galápagos tortoises and shared an incredible lunch.
On Day Two, our Cavaliers boarded a yacht bound for North Seymour Island to spot local animals like the blue-footed booby, Galápagos land iguanas, Galápagos sea lions, and the Magnificent frigatebird, whose distinct red pouches are visible during mating season. After roaming the island to take in these creatures in their natural habitats, students dove into the Pacific Ocean for a snorkeling experience to observe the wonders beneath the waves.
Otavalo
From the Islands, our delegation traveled to Otavalo, Ecuador, for their immersion into Ecuadorian culture and service work with the Tandana Foundation. Guides Omar and Emily prepped the Cavs for their stay in the indigenous Kichwa mountain village of Inguicho. They covered the basics of Kichwa life, the work they'd be doing alongside the local community, and then took them shopping at a local market to buy supplies, food, and gifts for their hosts.
Inguicho
After arriving in Inguicho, our group's host families graciously opened their homes and welcomed our Cavaliers as their own. Students played games with the community, worked alongside them to refresh the playground at the local school, and learned how to prepare some of the community's traditional foods.
Villagers gathered on our students' last day in Inguicho to prepare a pamba mesa to celebrate their time together. Each village family contributed a portion, which together created the communal feast.
Cavaliers then returned to Otavalo, where they finished their trip by attending mass, visiting the market, hiking to Cascada de Peguche, and sharing more local delicacies.
Making the World Smaller
Why was the trip unforgettable? Yes, our students saw natural beauty, shared fabulous food, and experienced fellowship with each other. But the real value lies in the personal connection with people from another country. It's in finding shared experiences, living in their homes, and working alongside them.
It's not just visiting another country and seeing sights. It's being totally immersed in another culture. The meaningful impact our students had on the lives of the people in Inguicho was matched by the meaningful impact the villagers had on our students.
