Through the Eyes of an Educator

" I had the great pleasure of leading a short-term study abroad trip of my American university students to French Polynesia in January 2023. I partnered with Isabelle Ozan and her team at Fare Om, and from the first email encounter onward, I was greeted warmly and with excitement. It was a truly life-changing experience for me, the professor, and my students. Collaborating with Isabelle and her team was a true delight. Isabelle is extremely knowledgeable about Moorea, Tahiti, and the surrounding islands. She listened to my vision for my students and honored my requests. She developed morning French language courses for my students and planned afternoon and weekend cultural excursions that tapped into the flora and fauna of the islands. She and the team provided many varied opportunities for us to experience culture and nature on the islands, but favorites included planting coral, snorkeling with sharks and stingrays, the Ecomuseum Te Fare Natura on Moorea, camping on the beautiful Motu Ahi, and all the wonderful cultural lessons given by the team that engaged students in traditional Polynesian weaving, dancing, and music. Our students also had the incredible opportunity to meet students at the local Lycée Agricole on Moorea, and this was an unforgettable cross-cultural exchange. Furthermore, Isabelle’s team was incomparable: they were so eager to share their knowledge and culture with our students. The pension at Fare Om is a beautiful space and the food was absolutely fabulous. I could not have asked to work with a more brilliant and heartfelt team. I have endless gratitude for this trip of a lifetime that Isa and the Fare Om team offered us. I recommend Isa and her team with my highest regards, and we look forward to our next séjour with our Eckerd students with Isa and team in summer 2025! "

 

                                                                               Dr. Kathryn R. Bastin