Erika Fay


Senior, environmental studies/community studies

Graduating senior Erika Fay jokes that she's a "walking advertisement" for UCSC. "I love it," says Fay, a double major in environmental studies and community studies.

One feature in particular stands out: "The professors are really available to you," says Fay, a Davis native. "I've always felt I could go up to any teacher after class and ask whatever I needed. I have friends at Berkeley who never talk to their professors."

Fay's double major offered her both theoretical and analytical grounding, as well as real-world application. "I've spent enough time in the classroom, but a good chunk of time outside of it, too," she says.

The highlight of Fay's undergraduate years was a six-month field-study project in Costa Rica, where she worked with elementary school students in 13 villages on a major reforestation project.

Fay describes the experience as "invaluable." The goal was to plant as many as 3,000 trees per village to reverse the erosion damage caused by massive clear-cutting that began in the 1950s.

"I was teaching in Spanish, and by the end, I was being mistaken for a native," says Fay. "That was awesome. That was the highest compliment."

Fay grew attached to the family she lived with and plans to visit them over spring break. "The mother was pregnant, and they said if the baby is a girl, they'll name her Erika," says Fay. "It was really hard to leave."

The field study, sponsored by the Community Studies Department, was not without its bumps, however. Fay credits program coordinator Mike Rotkin with helping her get through some rough moments.

"He gave us his home number and said to call anytime up until midnight," says Fay, who took him up on the offer more than once. "He was always there. He really pushes students to reach their full potential."

Like many overseas volunteers, Fay says she feels like she benefitted as much from the experience as those she was in Costa Rica to help. She came home with a clear vision of her desire to pursue a career in environmental education and now plans to earn her teaching credential.

The practical experience also helped her land a part-time job--and another field-study opportunity--this year as a Life Lab teacher at a local elementary school, where she uses the school garden as a "living laboratory" to give children hands-on experience with science.

"Teaching kids is so rewarding," says Fay. "They're so into what we're doing, and they really like learning-by-doing."

So, clearly, does Fay.

--Jennifer McNulty


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