Andy is an international education professional with 20 years of experience in the field. He has studied, worked and travelled across the Americas, Asia and Africa. He started Amazon Learning in 2015 in the city of Tena in Ecuador. Andy is an Ecuadorian-American and was first introduced to the world of international education as an 18-year-old undergraduate in the U.S. at Louisiana State University where he studied International Relations. He furthered his exposure to global learning through a transformative experience in Guinea as an agroforestry Peace Corps Volunteer. After his service he received his Masters Degree from the School for International Training in Vermont where he focused on designing and delivering study abroad programs. Andy is an energetic and inquisitive person who deeply believes in the positive effects of cross-cultural education on humanity. He loves to garden, hike and interior decorate.

Born and raised in Quito, Mirka moved to Tena in 2017 to study Engineering Ecosystems at Ikiam University. Mirka is is studying freshwater shrimp of the Amazonian Rivers for her thesis proposal. She has been a lover of animals, nature and enjoys any plan in the outdoors with her rescued dogs, and has also volunteered for nature conservation.

Mirka joined Amazon Learning in 2021 to help and support the program with fresh ideas after the pandemic. She loves learning from the indigenous groups that we work with, who are always eager to share their traditions, customs, and knowledge. Mirka is so grateful to be the connection between the interns and the locals and the opportunity to strengthen her skills as a leader and a multitasker.

Mika is a proud Rhode Islander who has been living in Ecuador for the last 5 years working in the experiential education field. She spent 3 years as a Team Leader for Global Citizen Year, where she managed the program and bridge year fellows in the Chimborazo and Napo regions. Mika has been promoting social and environmental justice since her first internship with the international nonprofit Global Exchange in San Francisco. In Ecuador, Mika has also worked in support of an international human rights and environmental justice lawsuit brought by indigenous groups with Amazon Watch and el Frente de Defensa de la Amazonía.  Mika graduated from Northeastern University with a B.A. in International Affairs, with minors in Sociology, Spanish, and Social Entrepreneurship. She is a photographer, explorer, and group leader that enjoys team-building activities that incorporate mindfulness and silly fun. Mika’s favorite part about the Amazon is being surrounded by people that are eager to share their knowledge about nature, medicinal plants, agriculture, and spirituality.