Belonging Field Trip: Peru

Kamora Johnson

McKay Student Ambassador

Physical Education

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Belonging Field Trips are still pretty new at the McKay School of Education, but they’re already making a big difference. These trips are an off-campus learning experience designed to focus on the doctrine of belonging through education. They help future educators experience culture, inclusion, and human connection in meaningful, hands-on ways. As the program continues to grow, the school is working to make these opportunities accessible to every student in the McKay School. Belonging trips have already taken students to places like Peru, Ghana, Thailand, Uganda, Kenya, Hungary/Austria, Boston, and Alabama. To better understand the impact of these trips, we spoke with a student who went on a belonging trip to Peru this summer.

Annabelle Hallam grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and moved to Utah a few years ago to study at BYU. She originally planned to become a high school Spanish teacher, but after taking an anatomy class, she discovered a new passion and shifted her goals. Now, she hopes to earn a PhD and eventually teach at the university level in a field related to health and human performance. Outside of school, Annabelle loves reading, going on walks with her husband, and kayaking.

Read what Annabelle shared about the trip to Peru:

What was the goal of this belonging trip?.

"A main goal of this trip was to travel to South America and interview teachers at different schools about trust and spirituality in education." 

Why did you decide to go?

"In past trips, I had traveled to both Ecuador and Peru for study abroad and humanitarian support, respectively. From these trips and a spanish speaking mission, I grew a strong love for the language and the latino culture. I was excited for the opportunity to travel to these beautiful countries again and spend time with the amazing people there. In my major department, I am a research assistant in a cardiovascular lab, which deals largely with quantitative data. I love the research I do there, but I was eager to get to participate in research of a more qualitative, human behavior nature." 

Who did you go with and how long were you there for?

"I got to attend this belonging trip with the McKay School of Education, and our group consisted of two professors, a BYU administrator, and four other undergrads. We spent ten days abroad." 

What are some of the experiences you had while on this trip?

"We were able to do so many activities within a very short time and had so much fun and learning each day! On our first day in Ecuador we got to attend a Catholic Mass and it was powerful to see so many faithful people worship. We got to go shopping various times at little markets which was an opportunity to practice Spanish and chat with locals. One day we took a boat to an island called “La Isla de Plata” and got to hike, see blue-footed boobies, and snorkel to see local fish. On our way home from Peru, we had a flight cancellation, leaving us stranded in Lima for an extra day. While first annoying, it gave us the opportunity to explore a new city and spend more time learning more about Latin American culture." 

Was there a specific place or moment that resonated with you?

"Peru has so much deep archeological and cultural history that was impactful to learn about. As we toured various sites, it was impactful to me to recognize how strong of a belief the ancient Incas had in a higher power. Almost every structure, temple, statue, or artifact was constructed in the name of Deity. The Incas worshipped a God called Viracocha, and stories describe him as a bearded man who came in a time of darkness to bring light. The parallels to Jesus Christ were evident through each tour we did, and it was powerful for me to learn about my Savior through how others worshiped and believed." 

What plans have you made for your future classroom from what you learned while on the trip?

"The schools we visited were not affiliated with a religion and most of the teachers I spoke with believed in some degree of separation of church and state. What stood out to me though was how many of these teachers used their strong religious beliefs to show more compassion and understanding to their students. Their understanding of the inherent worth of each child and hope in a divine power shaped their teaching. This is the type of mentality I want to have in my interactions with students. I want them to feel deeply understood and appreciated for who they are and not for what they accomplish." 

Do you have any suggestions for those wanting to do a trip like this in the future?

"My advice for someone on a similar trip would be to go into it with an open, judgment-free mindset and be eager to learn from those who may be different from you."

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Have you thought about becomeing a teacher? Schedule an appointment with a student ambassador here to learn more about the majors in the McKay School.