Principality of Andorra
My name is Ella Nichols and I am a member of the College of the Rockies women’s volleyball team. I had the amazing opportunity in May 2024 to travel abroad to Andorra, for a sustainability field school organized by the College. I embarked on in-field learning while trekking the Pyrenees mountains of Andorra, which is a small European country situated between Spain and France. The trip consisted of a small group of eight students and two professors. My goal for going on this trip was to experience a hands-on style of learning while in one of the world’s leading countries in sustainability.
What did I study?
While in Andorra we had the unique opportunity to meet and work with several knowledgeable people. We met with a variety of different organizations such as: the University of Andorra, Tourism Andorra, FEDA (hydroelectric plant), Grandvalira, Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley, and other smaller groups. These organizations educated us on sustainability initiatives around the country and the world. The opportunity to meet with these people was invaluable for my learning, as I studied in real-life situations rather than textbook learning. My favorite part of the trip was the 5-day hike which went through the Madriu-Perafita-Claror UNESCO Valley. This was such a cool experience because we got to meet with a representative from the UNESCO site the day before hiking it so all the information was fresh in our minds which made for interesting discussions.
Challenges
A challenge that arises a lot when travelling abroad is the language barrier. In Andorra, they speak four different languages with their official language being Catalan but most people also speak French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Few people from Andorra knew how to speak English. We overcame the language barrier challenge by being patient, empathizing, and using resources to mitigate frustration. For example, when going to a restaurant in La Massana, a town in Andorra, I would use the Google Translate app to show the server what I wanted.
Indigenous Pre-Departure Discussion
I would like to thank Joe Pierre, the Chief for the ʔaq̓am Community. When Joe Pierre came into the pre-departure discussion, he shared traditional stories of the land of the Ktunaxa Nation which was such an impactful way for me to learn. When travelling abroad and people asked where I went to school, I was able to share some of Joe Pierre’s words. Understanding and acknowledging the land we live and work on has significant meaning to Indigenous people and is so powerful for educational purposes for Truth & Reconciliation.
Lasting Impacts of Going Abroad
If you have made it this far in this blog, I must have piqued your curiosity about this style of learning and travel. If you have the opportunity to go abroad, please do it! Going abroad helped change my worldview on sustainability and it is so important to continue to learn by doing. The Andorra experience introduced me to different cultures and a whole new outlook on sustainable tourism. Moving forward I now have a better understanding of my career path and different job avenues I could pursue. Ultimately, the abroad experience for me is all about the lasting friendships, networking for the future, unique learning and amazing experiences that you will have for a lifetime.