Steele Family Foundation funding takes co-op students to the Galapagos Islands
By: Christie Zeb
With funding support, students benefit from the opportunity to contribute to conservation efforts and community development.
The Galapagos Islands, known for their unique wildlife and beautiful landscapes, have long been a magnet for tourists and researchers. Visitors are drawn to the clean beaches, clear waters and the chance to encounter endemic species, such as giant tortoises and marine iguanas.
For co-op students, Arun Ramji (he/him) and Kelvin Zhou (he/him), their 2024 spring co-op term offered more than a visit to this archipelago. They contributed to conservation efforts led by the Intercultural Outreach Initiative (IOI) while immersing themselves in the culture and wonders of the islands.
Change Makers in Co-op making impact
Ramji and Zhou are beneficiaries of the Steele Family Foundation Change Makers in Co-op program. The program provides $10,000 to fund the four-month work terms of co-op students working at charities.
“Many students are interested in exploring roles in the charitable sector, where they feel they can build new skills and a sense of purpose while positively impacting their communities. However, non-profits often struggle to afford talent,” said Dr. Norah McRae, associate provost of Co-operative and Experiential Education at the University of Waterloo.
The Steele Family Foundation’s Change Makers in Co-op program has been instrumental in enabling students to gain international experience, which is a priority for the University of Waterloo's co-op program. International co-op terms offer students unique opportunities to develop a global mindset, strengthen intercultural effectiveness and bring back insights that benefit both local and global communities.
With the funding, students have the opportunity to positively impact non-profits while gaining invaluable skills.
Ramji and Zhou worked alongside volunteers supporting IOI's mission to help local communities and protect the environment.
Kelvin Zhou, Statistics co-op student, Faculty of Mathematics
Living on the island was an unforgettable experience. We met locals and connected with people from around the world. Beyond the adventure, it helped me sharpen my communication skills. None of this would have been possible without the funding I received.
Helping communities in the Galapagos Islands
The IOI is a non-profit that supports education, conservation and social development in isolated communities. The organization has a range of projects to help communities thrive, all supported by volunteers. These projects include sustainable farming and agriculture, tortoise conservation, an endemic plant species nursery and community English education.
During their co-op work term, Ramji and Zhou played key roles in sea turtle monitoring, managing a tortoise breeding center and welcoming new volunteers by introducing them to their roles and the island. “We worked alongside rangers, assisting with tasks like clearing trees, numbering tortoises, locating nests and digging them up,” says Zhou, a third-year Statistics student.
The students were also involved in island tours, doing beach cleanups and recording activities for further exploration. “In doing beach cleanups, we record what we picked up and how much we picked. Then, I would create reports and send them to various environmental agencies. It's a valuable data point for ocean conservation agencies because several ocean currents meet in the Galapagos,” says Ramji.
One of the highlights of Ramji’s work term at IOI was teaching English to kids at the local school. He connected with the kids and made an impact, helping them learn a language while improving his presentation skills. “The kids are eager to learn English, but there are only two or three full-time English teachers. So, it was great contributing in that area,” says Ramji.
The experience gave Ramji and Zhou deeper insights into the environment and what goes on behind the scenes. For Zhou, it inspired him to learn more about nature and the environment. He’s also interested in taking up volunteer roles and opportunities with non-profits.
Learning a new language and culture
During their work term, the co-op students also spent time visiting beaches, surfing, biking and taking in all the sights of the islands with both locals and volunteers from around the world.
Ramji and Zhou lived with host families during their time in the Galapagos. The families helped them experience more of the local culture and pick up the Spanish language. “It was great to be part of the community. I stayed with a big family and they all lived close by, so people visited often. Everyone was friendly and the food was different too. Connecting with locals and making friends was the highlight of my experience,” says Zhou.
Seeing a view of the world outside of their own gave both Ramji and Zhou a new perspective on life and helped them develop soft skills for the future.
“When I started my program, I was focused on pursuing a software or coding job. But now, I realize I want more human interaction in my daily life, both at work and outside. This experience has been a great reminder to keep exploring the world and trying new things,” says Ramji.
