■ Jiiwuia WB':?. •
Wednesday, January 22,2014 • page 17
ilon students earn Pulitzer Center fellowship to Ecuador
lieHan^
orter
will miss meandering through the open,
jpean-esque plazas of Old Quito. I will
the walks through the dozens of parks
ling with joggers, dogs, fiitbol players and
jccasional couple. I will miss the sound
panish ratded off at lightning speed, the
dliness of Quito’s people, the food and
Jtunning scenery that surrounded me at
rturn.
11 things considered, it was both an en-
>le and successful ten days in Quito, Ec-
r, documenting the education system in
outh American country for a fellowship
the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Report-
'^hile in Ecuador, my partner and I spent
days alongside members from the iMe-
rogram interacting with and interview-
tudents (the children were the cutest),
srs and alumni from the Escuela Nue-
lorizontes del Sur, a tiny, rural private
1 a winding and mountainous 45-min-
ive outside Quito.
: also spoke with professionals involved
: higher education system in Ecuador,
ling a member of the university accredi-
board, the head of a language immer-
rogram for both exchange students and
Ecuadorians and an American profes
sor who helped revamp the teacher training
programs in dozens of schools across Ecua
dor and other nations.
The interviews helped shape the narrative
of a nation that for many years, and even still
to this day, lacked quality education for its
citizens, but now is trying to turn the tide to
provide a better life for its people.
Once upon a time, children in rural areas
who spoke an indigenous language struggled
to succeed in a Spanish-speaking school sys
tem. Now with compulsory education man
dated by the nation’s constitution and about
5 percent of the GDP spent on education-
compared to the United States’s 5.4 percent-
students are learning, and some are even go
ing on to receive degrees in higher education.
But even with these improvements, the
Ecquadorian education system is vastly dif
ferent from America’s and I came away from
the trip with a greater appreciation for our
system, despite its many flaws.
Here, choice and opportunities abound. It
would be very difficult to get funding by an
Ecuadorian university to complete the type
of trip from which I just returned. And with
new changes in Ecuador’s constitution and
university accreditation process came a new
entrance exam that determines a student’s
field of study for him or her. Emphasis on
technical skills and science-related subjects
leaves the chance to earn a liberal arts educa-
An Ecuadorian boy studies his textbook. Haney spent ten
tion similar to Elon and other U.S. universi
ties slim to none.
While the two systems are so different,
the one thing both countries share is the pas
sion of teachers trying to make a difference
in a student’s life. Education is clearly impor
tant to a successful future, and from listen
ing to the principal and teachers of Escuela
Nuevos Horizontes del Sur, who all teach
multiple subjects to both primary and high
ADDIE HANEY | Reporter
days interacting with students near Quito..
school students, I could sense the intense de
sire for making their students feel special and
encouraging them to reach for their dreams.
Going to Quito was a great learning
experience, and I came away from the trip
with a greater appreciation for my educa
tion and the opportunities I’ve been afforded
during my time at Elon. I’m also hopeful for
Ecuador’s future and the students seeking
knowledge and a better education.
ennis Mania: Australian Open creates unique atmosphere
Yatkins
lational Correspondent
iLBOURNE, Australia — At any
time of the year, thousands of
; travel to Melbourne, Australia, to
ence its artsy culture, tasty cuisine,
reathtaking attractions. But in Jan-
he main reason people flock to the
for tennis.
Ibourne hosts the Australian Open,
day international tennis tourna-
Players from around the globe
te in singles and doubles matches
nd prizes totaling 33 million Aus-
Dollars.
The Australian Open is about the ex
perience. It gives people of all ages and
backgrounds a piece of the sports culture
as it spreads“across the city, from hotels
to parks. v
For Brad Rees, the experience is every
thing. Rees, who lives three hours outside
the city, made the journey to attend the
Australian Open for the first time this
year,^ He said he appreciates the sports
culture of Melbourne and enjoys meeting
people who share the same appreciation.
“Seeing all tif [the tennis players] tal
ent, young and old, and getting to know
new people. People from different coun
tries,” Rees said. “It’s aU just having a
good time, really.”
The city creates an environment for
people to enjoy the tournament inside
and outside the stadium. For those who
cannot attend the competition itself,
large television screens across the city
give updates on the latest happenings
with the tournament, and it is shown on
every television in every bar in the city.
Cale Hutchings works at the Crown
Hotel in Melbourne and has noticed a
big difference in the atmosphere this
month.
“It’s really great for Crown,” Hutch
ings said. “With the Crown tennis live
site...it’s really awesome. I think it’s real
ly exciting. Melbourne’s a good place for
it. A lot of people are here from around
the world. “
Signs advise Melbourne natives and
incoming tourists to “Get Court Up”
with the competition. Outside shop
ping centers, the faces of tennis stars are
slapped on billboards advertising clothes
and accessories.
“I just think it’s amazing that we
can actually have this in Australia,” said
Hutchings. “You see it overseas, you
know Wimbledon and all that and how
big it is, but you never really realize that
[the Australian Open] just around the
corner from where you are.”