Tara Creed, a host mom and local coordinator for the high school exchange program Educatius, was selected to travel to The Gambia to teach art and possibly ignite a lifelong love for creativity and self-expression in the African community. 

As part of the Aiducatius Creativity Internship, Creed will join three other artistic interns who will work with more than 1,000 students at St. Martin’s Basic Cycle School in Kartong, introducing them to the joys of drawing and painting.

It will be the first time the Layton resident has visited the African continent but she has always been a champion of cultural exchange and diversity in Utah, hosting international high school students in the Davis and Morgan School Districts, and Layton Christian Academy.

“I’m thrilled to join this internship and connect with the students and teachers in The Gambia through the shared language of art,” said Creed. “While we’ll be introducing the students to new creative outlets like drawing and painting, I am equally excited to learn about their local traditions and culture.”

Along with Adam Gooder, an art teacher from Arlington High School in Massachusetts; Serena Pelizzari, a former exchange student from Italy; and Norun Igeltjørn-Brænd, a former exchange student from Norway, Creed was selected for the internship because of her skills in creating engaging activities for students. She will also train local teachers to incorporate art into regular school lessons. 

Following the two-week internship, from June 15-30, Educatius will host an online gallery to showcase the students’ artwork from the program, highlighting the creativity of Gambian students. Aiducatius supports St. Martin’s Basic Cycle School with annual funding for essential materials such as textbooks and uniforms.

“Cross-cultural exchange happens most authentically through shared experiences,” said Carla Kearns, Educatius vice president of communications. “Our interns will not only support the arts curriculum at St. Martin’s School but will also immerse themselves in the vibrant Gambian culture.”

Creed works as an aide at Layton’s Ellison Park Elementary (800 Cold Creek Way), so she has lots of experience working with school-aged children. As a lifelong resident of Davis County, she has enjoyed helping international students learn about the culture and beauty of Utah. 

When she applied for the internship last December, she knew the odds were stacked against her because of the number of applicants. She was shocked when she was contacted to be part of the experience. Each person selected to participate in the internship brings specific skills to the program and while she doesn’t know what to expect, she’s excited to get started. 

“We will be in a small village which is close to the coast,” Creed said. “I’m expecting lots of hotness and mosquitoes. But I’m expecting to go and have fun and get to know these kids and experience the culture.”

For anyone interested in hosting international high school students through Educatius, contact Creed at [email protected].

“We’re always looking for host families and if it’s something they’d love to do, to bring other cultures into their own homes, it’s a wonderful way to do that,” Creed said. “To bring a different culture into your home and have that experience is amazing.”