Sandy, West take their education international

MINOT, N.D. – Minot State University students Kyle Sandy and Jessen West put their education into practice in an international paradise.

Sandy and West were the latest MSU students to join Terry (Ferebee) Eckmann ’81/’82, professor of kinesiology, teaching group fitness classes in Cancun, Mexico, in October.

The trip offered more than tropical sunshine and white beaches; it gave the duo a chance to lead classes for an international audience and build connections with people from around the world.

“This trip was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Sandy said. “It was my first time visiting Mexico, so I was really excited to have this opportunity. What I didn't realize before leaving was just how many amazing memories I would make, incredible people I would meet, and new experiences I would gain along the way.”

Those experiences included meeting and working with the staff of the Hyatt Vivid Cancun.

“They were so kind and even got to know us on a personal level,” West added. “A lot of the team there were around Kyle’s and my age, so we could connect with them on relevant things within our own lives. That made the trip so much more enjoyable because everywhere you went, people were just constantly reaching out and connecting with you.”

Sandy, a senior from Velva, and West, a senior from Billings, Montana, led group exercise and yoga classes for resort guests visiting from 10 countries and several U.S. states, gaining valuable hands-on teaching experience in an environment unlike any traditional classroom.

The opportunity is part of a longstanding relationship Eckmann has developed through her connections in the fitness industry. Each year, she brings a small group of Minot State students to work with the resort company, giving them an opportunity to gain experience teaching in an international setting.

“The owner of the company and I have a lot of similar connections in the fitness industry, and when I pitched the idea of bringing students, she said, ‘Let's give it a try,’ and they have loved our students,” Eckmann said. “The company requires specific certifications, and our students have the opportunity to experience this because they are MSU students. We are the only university they work with.”

While Eckmann has been organizing the trip for multiple years, each one presents different challenges and opportunities for the students involved.

This year's trip brought a few unexpected adjustments. Sandy and West had prepared to lead high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or Tabata classes based on the resort's initial recommendations.

Instead, they learned shortly before their first session that they would be teaching yoga.

Fortunately, Sandy already had some experience teaching yoga and had earned his Level 1 Foundations Certification through YogaFit, an opportunity Eckmann helped arrange. The two students adjusted their plans and prepared to lead two classes each morning: Sunrise Yoga at 7 a.m. and Soft Yoga at 8 a.m.

“I already had some experience teaching yoga, so Jessen and I were able to adjust our plans and put together classes on the fly,” Sandy said.

What began with a handful of participants quickly grew into an international gathering. After encouraging the first group to return, the class steadily grew. By the end of the week, they had welcomed participants from 10 different countries, many of whom spoke English as a second language.

“We weren't just leading yoga classes; we were building personal connections and creating friendships that I know will last a lifetime,” Sandy said. “Being able to meet and connect with people from all over the world really gives you a different perspective on life.”

For West, those connections became the most memorable part of the experience. He recalled one couple who had never tried yoga and initially approached the classes with some skepticism. By the end of the week, the couple had become regular participants and asked the students for their phone numbers so they could stay in touch.

“They told us it is their goal to continue going to classes because it has changed their lives,” West said. “These are the connections that remind me that I am pursuing what I love and that I want to continue making a difference in people's lives.”

Sandy found another way to preserve the relationships and lessons from the week. Inspired by an idea he saw online, he bought a journal from the resort gift shop and invited guests to write down a piece of life advice they had learned or leave a personal message.

By the end of the trip, he collected more than 15 messages from people around the world.

“Each one is unique and meaningful in its own way,” Sandy said. “Now, whenever I look through that journal, I won't just remember the friendships we made, but I'll also have words of wisdom and advice to look back on whenever I need them.”

The experience also extended beyond the classroom and fitness instruction. They also enjoyed excursions, including a ferry trip to Isla Mujeres, ATV rides through the forest, and ziplining into a cenote.

For Sandy, who comes from a family of Minot State graduates and educators, the experience reinforced the importance of building relationships. Pursuing a degree in physical education, along with a minor in business management and a concentration in leadership studies, has allowed him to explore several interests while preparing for a career in education. He is scheduled to begin student teaching in January.

“Having opportunities like this to step outside my comfort zone and build connections with people I had never met before, especially those from different parts of the world, is something I can carry with me into the school setting,” Sandy said. “It taught me the importance of making people feel welcomed, included, and comfortable, even when you're meeting them for the first time.”

West, who is currently student teaching at Horizon Middle School in Bismarck, came to Minot State after spending two years playing baseball at Miles Community College in Montana. He wasn't sure teaching was the direction he wanted to pursue, but his first clinical experience changed that.

The Cancun experience further reinforced his decision.

“I think this is one of the most important things in my teaching journey,” West said. “I was leading classes, but I think it was reaching so many diverse people and connecting with them that made the biggest impact on me. Connecting with these individuals and guiding them on their journey is the kind of teacher that I want to be.”

According to Eckmann, watching MSU students adapt in an unfamiliar environment is one of the most rewarding aspects of the opportunity.

“This experience can be eye-opening and life-changing,” Eckmann said. “It provides students with the opportunity to meet people from around the world and to teach in unique settings.”

She was impressed with how the duo fit in, not only with resort guests but also with the employees they worked alongside throughout the week.

“They went above and beyond with guests and the entertainment team members,” Eckmann said. “They were all in, and everyone loved them. They made lasting impressions on many people.

“Kyle and Jess were excellent representatives for Minot State University. They made a significant impact on the people at the resort.”