IN THE ANDES: Caminos Princeton, organized by two Community Park Elementary School aides, recently returned from an 11-day expedition to Ecuador, where rising Princeton ninth graders toured the country and spent five days living with Ecuadorian host families. The visiting Princeton contingent is seen here with their Ecuadorian host families. (Photo courtesy of Caminos Princeton)

By  Donald Gilpin

“Travel and cultural exchange can change lives,” wrote Alessandra Clemens-Lores and Queta Alban, Community Park Elementary School aides in the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program.

They proved that assertion again last month in leading 11 Princeton Middle School (PMS) recent graduates on an 11-day expedition through Ecuador that included exploring the Ecuadorian rain forest, rafting on the Yanayacu River, crossing the Andes, touring the capital city Quito, and biking through the lava fields of the volcanic valley of Cotopaxi, as well as community service at a local school in the Amazon, immersion time with Ecuadorian host families, and a focus on social and ecological awareness.

Under the auspices of their Caminos Princeton organization (“a pathway to discovery through language and culture”), Clemens, an architect who was born and raised in Peru, and Alban, a marketing and business professional born and raised in Ecuador, also led a contingent of PMS students on an Ecuador excursion last summer.

They described their students’ “transformations” and observed the creation of many meaningful, lasting friendships. The Ecuadorian student hosts will be visiting Princeton in October, and the Princeton students are eager to reciprocate the hospitality and warm welcome they received.

“Experiencing a new culture at a young age profoundly shaped them, fostering empathy and open-mindedness,” said Clemens and Alban. “They learned to appreciate different cultures and improve their Spanish skills, boosting their confidence. Hands-on experiences in history, geography, and social studies enriched their learning. Interacting with diverse peers and Ecuadorian families developed their social skills and built lasting friendships.”

Parents of the young travelers shared their enthusiasm for the venture. “This trip was the perfect way to celebrate the district’s incredible DLI program and our daughter’s bilingual journey,’ wrote the mother of one student. “My husband and I are so grateful to Caminos Princeton for providing this life-changing opportunity for these students. We are absolutely thrilled to be able to host the Ecuadorian students in the fall!” Another parent described the experience as “a game changer” for her daughter.

Clemens and Alban discussed the benefits of spending five of the 11 days with an Ecuadorian family and the potential impact of this experience. “This immersion provides a valuable opportunity to practice Spanish in a real-world setting, significantly enhancing their language skills,” they wrote. “Additionally, the program fosters substantial personal growth through the challenges of living with a newly met family and communicating in a language they are still mastering.”

Immersion in nature was another aspect of the trip, and Clemens and Alban noted how environmental responsibility was another significant benefit for their students. “Activities like rafting and learning about the impacts of illegal mining highlight the importance of caring for the environment, encouraging participants to be more mindful of global issues,” they wrote.

Caminos Princeton will be hosting an evening at the Princeton Public Library in November for families interested in learning more about the program and plans for next year.