Comments from previous participants

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Read About Experiences From Previous Participants

I went on the trip with an open mind and just allowed myself to experience everything that was around me. Everyday was exciting in Mexico City, whether it was an all day trip to the pyramids, going to the market and seeing all the fresh produce, traveling on the metro, visiting El Zocalo, visiting Frida Kahlo’s house or going to Puebla to be apart of a family therapy session done in Spanish.

Like many groups within the US, I think many of the Latin American populations are treated as marginalized groups that have been belittled by stereotypes and shame. I feel as a therapist I was given a once in a life time opportunity to visit a country where I was able to be submerged on a deeper level in the daily life of a Mexican. Which in turn allowed me to challenge myself and others within our about our previous views about people of different cultures. I am a Central American and before the trip I lived in San Diego (40 minutes from the Mexican Border). I mention that because I was aware… or so I thought I was, of Mexican Culture.

I remember that I always thought that my Panamanian heritage was similar to the Mexican cultural because we are all Latinos, but I was wrong. Coming back from the trip I realized the importance of celebrating the similarities, and just as importantly, the differences. I have learned so much about the Mexican people and since the group trip I have been returned multiple times to learn more. The experience also made me curious about my own heritage and since then I have gone to my family of origin (parents and extended family) to learn more about my own cultural legacies.

 -Erika Beckles eribec@msn.com
 
 For me, the Summer Immersion Program far exceeded my expectations. Lectures, readings, and assignments were practical and thought provoking. The program though, was so much more than just taking a few summer classes. The city is enormous and what I saw of the countryside is beautiful, there is so much to see, do, and explore.

Prior to participating in the Summer Immersion program I had very little exposure to Latin culture (particularly that of Mexico) with the exception of interacting with a select few close friends. However, now that I've lived in Mexico and been a minority in their culture, I have a greater understanding of what are some of the core cultural values. The program gave me an opportunity to interact so many different types of people from elite academics to minimum wage earning laborers. It was great to be able to get so many perspectives on what their everyday lives are like from their perspective and not the stereotypical perspective promulgated by the media and other uninformed sources.

The Spanish classes were great.  I went from being very basic to a few levels below conversational. Instruction moved at a very comfortable pace was tailored to the class' proficiency. I think the most powerful part of the experience is that I feel that I have a second home in Mexico. I made some good friends and the relationship that I developed with my housemother was very special. I'm so eager to go back. If I were asked if I would consider coming back or recommending others to participate in the program, I would emphatically respond YES to both!

-Tory Casson tcason@alliant.edu

 I know upon my return from Mexico I carried all my experiences with me to work, school, and home. My family also experienced me differently especially this year. Side note -- I went to a family reunion a week after my return and I complimented on my Spanish-- how cool is that? My general experience was that while I was there I felt connected with the culture and everything I experienced made me feel new. It allowed me to think in ways I may not have thought.

Now that I have returned I continue to feel connected to the culture. I feel I have an understanding of Mexican family functioning that stays with me. Last year the most powerful experience was the Hierve el Agua in Oaxaca. I had never seen anything more beautiful and somehow I was able to take it in every living aspect of myself. The most powerful part of the experience for me this year was the weekend in Malianco at the Temescal. I can not explain in words how wonderful it all was -- the feeling, the sites, sensations, and everything that left with me that weekend. I think the hardest part of returning home is the fear of forgetting all that I experienced and I that I learned, the fear of forgetting the value of differences and fear of being comfortable in my own little world.

- Leticia & Jody Gonzalez- Pilenski lgonzalez@alliant.edu

Well, where do I even begin? I signed up for the summer program to be exposed to a culture and an environment unlike my own. I had no idea the program would have such a lasting effect on the way I now see the world, and more importantly, how I want to take my experiences with me into my future work as a clinician. Not only did I learn a tremendous amount about myself, I was able to have an amazing time while learning. I know now that this experience was something that I had to do and it has forever impacted my life. Getting to know people on a different level as an outsider enabled me to see different perspectives and gain knowledge about what truly matters in this world.

I can say I have a greater respect for the differences that I was exposed to, and therefore can use those experiences while working with Latin American populations. It has opened my eyes and my heart to the ways I interact with people, of all cultures, and is not limited to any particular cultural background.

It’s difficult to narrow down what was the most powerful part, so I will mention a few. First, participating in a Temazcal was not only a powerful part of the trip, but one of the most powerful experiences of my entire life. Second, would be the arrival into Zapotitlan, when we got to the cabins and were completely detached and surrounded by a cactus forest, I was taken by the beauty and the quiet of the area. I was interested in learning about the culture of the area and enjoyed sitting in the dark, without electricity, and getting to know one another on a deeper level.

Additionally, my interaction with our guide, Samuel, before and during our trip to Mitla. I think it is important for people to realize, whether they want to or not, changes will occur, within them. Also, since we are all over achieving graduate students, it is important to take the time to remind students while they are on the trip, yes you are here to learn and to study, but take into consideration your contextual surroundings and do not limit yourself in learning only from a classroom perspective. I learned the most about myself while I was walking around the streets and interacting with people, lessons that could and should not be learned in the confines of a classroom. The experience was extremely powerful, and one that I hope to share.

- Lesley Gould lesleygould@cox.net

I really enjoyed the program, especially being able to travel to different parts of the country and see how people live. The most enriching and fascinating part of the program was being about to meet the people and hear the stories behind Mexico’s history. What I noticed happening after I got back from Mexico was that I was more aware of the needs of my clients. I started viewing them through the knowledge that I had just gained. In my mind, I could see them shopping in the marketplaces where I had shopped and visited in Mexico. Most of all, it impacted the kinds of questions that I asked my clients, and how I viewed them as parents, students and hard workers just trying to make it in America.

-Lucy Her lher@alliant.edu
 

I knew the summer immersion program would be life changing and challenging, but I really wasn't prepared. I do not think any one can truly be prepared for the experience of immersion into a culture. Not only were the day trips and traveling days educating, challenging and fun, but the actual traveling itself with so many diverse people in a strange world chalked up to an educational experience as well.

I am definitely more comfortable within Latin American populations than I was before. I am more confident in my Spanish and although I do not speak it well at all, I am more inclined to try. Being aware of the values and struggles of Latin American populations has opened my eyes to my own culture and now I'm able to be more aware of the differences between our values in the United States versus the Latin American system. This is important because I need to see through my lens and recognize my issues before I can see through those of any client.

The Spanish classes were great! Two hours every day has refreshed my memory and forced me to speak the language every day. Plus every day you learn something new to try out in the 'real world'. I wish I could do that here.

I also know that this program helped me see myself as an independent person. My weaknesses as well as my strengths were mirrored in the group process and my life has changed direction because of it. Being half Mexican, I began to see what beautiful things my family had deserted in the culture and decided that I would not do the same thing. I want to embrace the culture my family lost and bring it back for my children. The most powerful part consists of two things. The first was the group process. The Temezcal combined with the group process experience has remained a source of power for me to draw from each day. This crucible was imperative for me to experience in order to grow as a human being.

The second part was the protests we experienced and the force of the people. Their energy was inspiring for me.
In the United States, we rarely get a glimpse of what people can achieve and the sacrifices they make for each other, their elders, their young, their community. In Mexico, that feeling was everywhere we went and it's provoked me to think more in community terms while working with clients. I lived very close to the school and the accommodations were fantastic. I had my own room and shared a bathroom with a room-mate. The school is in a great location, near restaurants, coffee shops, Zona Rosa and the metro.

-Trisha Shelton tshelton@alliant.edu
 
I was able to see the differences in Mexican customs, traditions, and level of importance they placed on certain items as compared to Mexican Americans. I am Mexican American and I had my own preconceived notions of what it meant to be Mexican, but now I have a much greater awareness of the diversity of people from Mexico.

I sometimes thought of Mexico as second best compared to the United States up until I went on many of the educational excursions. Having studied the Ancient Mexican Cultures I was in awe when I went to the Museum of Anthropology, I considered it a spiritual experience for me.  When I climbed the Templo Mayor at Teotihuacan I could only imagine what the city looked like at its strongest period and what the people were like.  Going to the National Palace and seeing Diego Rivera's murals helped me understand the history of Mexico and how it impacted and still impacts the people.”

-Maribel Silva: cutelikedot@yahoo.com

 
 I came back home not only learning Spanish, but I feel like I discovered a new part of myself.  I feel more whole and confident than ever before. It has effectively rekindled my passion for helping others.” 

- Barbara Zager barbara.j@earthlink.net

The experience in the summer program has impacted my work with Latin American clients by giving me a deeper understanding of the culture and how it impacts their everyday lives. It also gives me a connection with some clients, in speaking Spanish and talking about their life prior to immigrating to the States. The program definitely impacted my cultural connection and it opened a path for inner growth.

My parents are from Mexico and had taught me about the traditions in the culture.Yet living in Mexico City and going to Oaxaca taught me more about my culture and the history of which I was unaware. Mexico to me is like a second home but living in Mexico City and going to the historical sites expanded my knowledge.

There were so many powerful parts in this experience to list. The one that always seems to leave me speechless was the weekend in “La Puerta” and having a chance to experiencing the temazcal was life changing. It brought me closer to my spiritual side and I will forever be grateful. Just a comment to people that might be interested in going; If you are reading this you are interested in going! GO! Don’t think about it, just GO! I promise you will never come back the same. If you think you don’t have enough money or time…will we ever? JUST GO!!!

--Jasmin Zamarripa: jasminz79@yahoo.com