Testimonials from Participants in Cuernavaca 2007

The following reflections from the participants of the Cuernavaca 2007 Travel Study program reveal what can happen when you open yourself up to learn (or relearn) a language and experience its culture in your life. My thanks to these thoughtful border-crossers for sharing what they learned and for what they taught me in the journeying process.

--Dr. Peter J. Baird Cuernavaca Travel-Study program leader

My recent experience in Mexico was incredible, and it showed me a side of the country that I had not known before. The guest speakers, articles, conversations with my host family and the book, Mexican Lives, all contributed to my new understanding of life in this amazing country.

--Adam Beasely, Secondary Social Science teacher

My plan was to come back with a level of comfort in speaking Spanish. I did return with an increased level of comfort in conversing and writing in Spanish; overall the post assessment indicated significant advancement in my competencies. This Cemanahuac Study Abroad Program was so much more than just developing fluency in Spanish, it included gaining knowledge and understanding of the Mexican cultures, connect with other disciplines (such as art, archeology, Mexican cuisine, folk crafts, agriculture, political and social issues, cultural anthropology) and acquiring information, developing insight into the nature of language and culture, and building strong bonds with my professor and colleagues.

--Dr. Amanda Hale, Elementary School Principal

For me, this trip had many meanings. It was a celebration for finishing my teaching credential program and sort of sending myself out into the world. This was also the first major trip I took on my own, without family. This forced me to step up and take control, I could no longer depend on my daddy to order taxis and reserve hotels. I was now on my own, for the first time, in the biggest city in the world! I had to utilize my Spanish skills and live outside my comfort zone. What I learned still amazes me.

--Erin Chambliss, EDTE graduate, Multiple Subjects

Traveling to Mexico was a life-changing event for me. Not only did I learn about myself, but I also learned valuable information that will make me a better school psychologist. Before I took this trip I never gave much thought about studying the education system of Mexico. … I hope to enlighten others of how important it is to understand where students and their families are coming from. I am also looking forward to sharing the information that the teachers from Oaxaca shared with us. I think it’s very important that others know how dedicated the Mexican teachers are to their students.

--Elizabeth Crane, MA student, School Psychology Program

In our discussion group, I mentioned that we were “ambassadors.” I truly believe that. To every Mexican that I met, I hoped that I have presented myself as a good person and a good American. I want to dispel any misgivings that Mexicans may have about Americans, so that they do not see all Americans as the media portray us. I see humanity and cultural appreciation transcending politics, and the economies.

--Jeanne-Marie Carr, Middle School ELA teacher

I thought Peter and company put on a fabulous presentation of Rini Templeton and her work. The visit to the public school was enjoyable as the students were so welcoming, and I was more struck by the similarities to the schools in the U.S. than the differences. I was moved by the teachers from Oaxaca and I plan to become more educated in their movement. My mind was incredibly stimulated by the abundance of new knowledge I was exposed to, and I was fascinated by all of it.

-- Julie Ingber, TESOL graduate student

Ahora la pregunta es -¿Qué debo hacer? Me fui a México. Vi muchas cosas. Aprendí más. Me siento que entiendo más sobre la cultura y la vida mexicana, pero también sé que no es posible entenderlo completamente en un período de dos semanas. Una cosa que sí sé definitivamente es que saber la lengua española es un proceso. Es necesario continuar usándola y estudiarla sin jamás terminar.... En fin, esta experiencia me mostró lo que necesito hacer yo para cumplir mis metas.

--Michelle Colville, Middle School Spanish teacher

I greatly valued the time and effort my host family in Cuernavaca provided me. This was indeed a highlight of my stay in Cuernavaca. I was touched with the care they took with us. …Aurelia and Alejandro also spent mealtimes with us, and as long as we stayed at the table attempting to talk in Spanish, they stayed with us. They cooked, cleared the table, and cleaned for every meal, and spoke with us about any topic in which we were interested. We were able to talk about the seminars we attended with the CSUS class, the many sites of interest we visited, and topics directly related to education and culture.

--Patti Buckholz, Speech Pathologist

It was great timing to find the CSUS Spanish Language Immersion program that was closely connected to education and educators. I am certain that with broader advertising, the program will attract even more students, educators, and community members. Considering the state of our nation (and nature of capitalism and its insatiable need for numerous markets) and our immigration policy regarding Mexico, more Americans should become more knowledgeable about economics and Mexico. This visit to Mexico re-affirms the impression that I have formed while traveling to numerous countries: life is life and people are people.

--Dr. Stacey A. Cook, Community College Dean

As far as the language goes- I feel so much more comfortable now, even when I am struggling, trying to find the right words, the right tense and the right pronunciation. The immersion and the school were definitely helpful for my learning, and I now feel more relaxed- even when I’m not sure what I’m talking about! I remember feeling absolutely exhilarated one time I was riding a crowded Ruta 14 to my home from the Zócalo. I was by myself, and grasping the bars overhead. I was right beside the bus driver, who had the door open and was certainly not driving slowly over the slightly hilly streets. I remember blinking and looking around me, and feeling not at all like a tourist. I feel that I have grown as a person, and that I have only a small touch of the massive iceberg that is understanding Mexico, its people and culture and life. I have indeed appreciated every aspect of it, and will continue to internally reflect on my many experiences and lessons.

-- Stephanie Alder, Community College secretary

Mexican Woman’s Journey to Self-Acceptance

This is the existence of one Mexico girl growing up in a farm working family in the United States:

Oppression. Low
Expectations. Poverty.
Exploitation. Degradation.
Humiliation. Isolation.
Loneliness. Fear. Hunger.
Desperation. Doom.
Nothingness. Insignificance.
Racism. Emptiness. Longing.
Displacement. Disconnected.
Anxiety. Sadness. Wetback.
Dirty Mexican. Lazy. White-
washed. Dumb. No Good.
Hopelessness…

This is the existence of one Mexican woman who had grown up in a farm working family who not only survived, but thrived!!!!

Second Chances… God…
Kindness… Humbleness…
Friendships… Teachers…
Education… Knowledge…
Personal Power… Confidence…
Potential… Desire…
Opportunities… Determination…
Motivation… College…
Scholarships… Responsibility…
Family… Faith… Hope… Love…
Peace… Acceptance…
The Sky Is The Limit!!!

My experience in Cuernavaca was one that brought me closer to understanding the country of Mexico and the people that live, survive, and thrive there. I came to understand more why my parents and so many others immigrate to the U.S. In speaking with Arturo, one of my instructors, I came to understand the reasons why my siblings and I were raised the way we were, for Arturo spoke at length about ideologies, customs, and traditions in the Mexican culture. Arturo was a very special instructor. I identify as a “recovering adult daughter of Mexican farmworking parents”. If a picture can speak a thousand words, this identification can speak infinity of words. My life experiences in the US coupled with the knowledge I gained in Mexico has enabled me to understand my past more clearly, to understand who I am today, and gives me hope for a better future for Mexicanos in the US and in Mexico.

--CSU Sacramento graduate student

I went on this trip to improve my Spanish, which I certainly did. However, that is the least of what I gained from my participation. Evening lectures and discussions led by experts on topics, ranging from the history of corn (accompanied by a wonderful feast) to the economic and social impacts of NAFTA, increased tremendously my understanding of Mexico and its people. The opportunity to interact with other educators from our area around issues related to the children we serve was also fantastic. The experience was rewarding both intellectually and emotionally. As a faculty member I see tremendous potential in this venture for students, the community and faculty and hope that next summer will see even more graduate students and faculty participation.

-- Dr. Cathy Christo, School Psychology Program
CSU Sacramento, College of Education

My last morning [in Cuernavaca] began with sentiment that I would miss the school, the town, the routine. What a run it had been, my personal reflections, my connections with Mexican people as never before, and yes, my language. I walked the several blocks to the top of my hill and turned to wait for my little jitney bus to arrive. As I looked up a pick-up truck of local police roared to a stop in front of me -- and they spoke to me in a rather urgent way! Terrified I asked them to speak more slowly. Gently they asked me for directions to a street I knew. After directing them to turn down the hill, the officer in the back called, “gracias.” Indeed, I had arrived. They had asked me, the Gringo, for directions. And I had answered them correctly. But had their professional manner and thanks to me been a sign of growth for Mexico? These weren’t the Federales of thirty years ago. And I wasn’t the kid visiting Mexico in 1977. We had both grown.

--Tom Higgins, CSUS Counseling MS student
Who attended classes in Cuernavaca and Buena Vista de Cuellar