Elsa Yuquilema, a 2024-2025 Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant of Kichwa from Ecuador, has expanded her work at MSU by forming a musical band, Runas del Sur, together with graduate students from Latin America. Her academic background in education, with a focus on teaching foreign languages, reflects her commitment to cross-cultural exchange. At MSU, Elsa not only shares her native Kichwa language but also showcases her identity as a runa warmi (Indigenous woman) through music, bringing together graduate students from Latin America to celebrate their diverse heritage and foster cultural understanding. Runas del Sur performed at MSU’s Global Festival. Follow this link to watch their performance: