VENTURA, Calif. - s4story -- Ventura College made history this spring break when eleven students participated in the college's inaugural study abroad program, traveling to Loreto, Mexico — Ventura's sister city — for a week-long immersive, cross-disciplinary experience. Led by Professor of Sociology Daniella Graves and Professor of Biology Kammy Algiers, the program marked a milestone year in the making.

"This trip has been such an enriching experience. There couldn't have been a better fit for our Ventura College students," said Professor Graves. The program originated three years ago when Ventura Sister City Association board member Mark Urwick connected with Ventura College faculty about a potential collaboration. Ventura and Loreto have been sister cities since 2015, sharing a rich mission heritage that gave students the opportunity to explore historical landmarks and reflect on their lasting cultural impact.

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A Week of Discovery: Culture, Nature, and Community

Students from Introduction to Sociology and Field Biology engaged in a rich variety of activities. They visited the historic Mission Nuestra Señora de Loreto (est. 1697) and Mission San Javier (est. 1699), snorkeled in the marine sanctuary, hiked in the Sierra de la Giganta desert range, explored Coronado and Carmen Islands in Loreto's Parque Nacional Bahía de Loreto — a sister park to Ventura's Channel Islands National Park — and recorded species biodiversity across land and sea. Students also participated in a beach cleanup, visited foster children, and learned watercolor painting from local artist Lizette Inzunza.

"In the quiet of the sand, discovering new species and environments, I found more than knowledge — I found curiosity. Loreto, Mexico, will always be the beginning of that journey." — Julie de Jesus, Ventura College Student

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"The trip stuck with me in the way that I got to experience this vast difference in so many themes of life, alongside other students who were also navigating the same experience." — Javier Razo, Ventura College Student

Key Partners: Eco-Alianza de Loreto and Conserva Loreto

The trip was made possible through a partnership with Eco-Alianza de Loreto, a non-profit founded in 2007 to address the overuse of Loreto's natural resources. Eco-Alianza organized excursions, island trips, transportation, and student housing. Students also spent a day with Conserva Loreto, receiving a guided desert tour from biologist Dr. Sula Vanderplank.

"Our vision is to bring students yearly to Loreto to study the social and environmental aspects of Ventura's sister city," said Professor Algiers. "We hope to continue this program and build upon what we all learned in this first trip."