Blog #1: Essay revision

Blog Assignment: One

When I was invited on this study abroad program by Jose Rodriguez, I immediately knew that by the description, spending two weeks in Oaxaca would further expand my knowledge of Latin American culture. To briefly summarize my professional aspirations, I am a first generation college student, pre-law, majoring in Political Science with a minor in international relations/human rights. Unlike the majority of my counterparts in the pre-law program that wish to pursue their own private practice or be counsel to a mega-corporation, I see myself speaking before the general assembly at the United Nations. It is in my opinion, that Latin Americans have been historically disenfranchised by the world, manipulated by free trade, and have placed their future in empty promises made by the more heavily industrialized world. It is my intent that when I arrive in Mexico, I am able to see life through the perspective of those residing within its borders, instead of on the outside looking in. That when I graduate and am accepted into law school, that I will become an advocate for reform in foreign policy and the possibility that I will someday rise to the position of being in a global, political arena. No one possesses clairvoyance, however I know that this experience will further strengthen my desire to further enhance and bring progress to the Latino community.

                                                                        - Miguel A. Ramirez Jr.

Blog # 3: “La Independencia y el Regreso del Empirio”

As I pulled at the strands of white and purple thread, my eyes straining to see the tiny stitches and my fingers cramped from gripping the wooden instruments, a small woman moved quickly between students, offering instructions and making adjustments.  She studied my work for a moment, regarding with a skilled eye the fabric, which I had managed to knot into a fluffy mess in the minutes since her last visit.  “Oh, muy bien! Puede dárselo a su mama”, she exclaimed cheerfully as she nimbly unknotted the tangle.  As she worked, she spoke of her craft, explaining, “mi trabajo es muy despacio y muy lento, pero cuando yo termino, el tejido es muy bonito”.  As I detached myself from the cloth weaving contraption that encircled my body and connected me to a marble column in the center of the Becari Language School, the woman echoed this sentiment to each frustrated student.  The weaver cheerfully acknowledged that her work was slow and required great care, yet she made it clear that, for her, the fact that it took so much time made it all the more valuable.  

This morning, we discussed the Mexican fight for independence.  This movement was not a smooth and easy transition, but rather proved to be made up of complex internal and external struggles.  Just as each row of my weaved fabric was a bit knotted despite my intense effort, the transition towards Mexican independence was marked by “knots” and complication.  Just as the weaver’s work takes a great deal of time, Mexican independence did not come quickly.  Today, Mexicans value their history and take great pride in the heritage of the nation for which their ancestors fought so long and hard.

According to Peter Guardino’s The Time of Liberty, the Bourbon reforms significantly changed the way in which colonial Mexico functioned.  As Spain weakened, the Spanish crown attempted to strengthen the political and economic systems in its overseas empire.  The Bourbon officials levied higher taxes and began to take a more involved role in the lives of civilians through a system of “radical social engineering to produce a more rational and productive citizen” (92).  As the fabric of Mexican history continued to tangle itself in the struggles of the Spanish government, a new knot began to form among the citizens of “New Spain”.  In 1810, conservative citizens began to advocate for the ideas and reforms of the Spanish crown, while liberals supported a philosophy of change.  Rumors wove their way through the predominantly illiterate society and a civil war ensued.   Guardino suggests that the events that transpired between 1808 and 1821 produced a move towards the idea of political equality for all adult men, yet at the same time pulled the historical “knot” tighter as rumors flew and enabled violence (154).  

On May 5, 1862, the day for which the festival “Cinco de Mayo” is celebrated, Mexicans defeated the French army at Puebla, thus delaying French occupation of Mexico for a year.  In his piece Sons of the Sierra: Juarez, Diaz and the People of Ixtlan, Oaxaca, Patrick McNamara suggests that the holiday is celebrated because the victory “symbolized Mexico’s determination for independence from foreign governments” (51).  With this determination, the Mexican people sought to untangle the knots of the fabric of their history and weave their way towards independence.  Ordinary citizens, like Benito Juarez and Porfirio Diaz, rose to respected positions as determined supporters of Mexican independence.  During our visit to the Museo de Benito Juarez today, we visited the home in which this extraordinary leader was raised.  As a young boy from an indigenous family, Juarez never knew his parents, but was adopted and was educated in Oaxaca City.  This young man from the hills surrounding Teotitlan led an impressive revolutionary movement and furthered the determination for independence. 

While internal and external struggles complicated Mexico’s political atmosphere, U.S. interventions further challenged this state’s weak leadership.  President Polk’s War Message to Congress in 1846 spoke of the “grievous wrongs perpetuated by Mexico upon our citizens throughout a long period of years [that] remain undressed” and wrote that he would “prompt action of Congress to recognize the existence of the war” (25, 26).  The War that followed prompted questions about the location of the Mexican border, an area which still remains a topic of debate in the political arena today. 

This morning, the weaver smiled with pride at my knotted attempt at her craft because she believed that the small cloth, no matter how imperfect, was the product of valuable time.  Similarly, the fight for Mexican independence took a great deal of time and left the blanket of Mexican history dotted with knots.  Even today, border control and emigration issues still tangle the fabric.  Despite these challenges, or perhaps because of them, modern Mexicans are proud of their heritage and their history.

-Sarah-   

Blog #2: Brandon's thoughts on Teotitlan del Valle

Our trip to Teotitlan was a great example of the reading by Lynn Stephen because it not only showed us the importance of the weaving to their economy, but also how it has shifted away from the farming that first started the city.  The shop we visited was a ninth  generation weaving family home, which maintained the traditions from the past. This was unusual because most families have since moved to synthetic fibers or cheaper production methods. As shown in this picture the traditional methods of wool brushing and spinning are still used at this particular site, and the quality of ingredients used in dyes and production are laid out before the customers as they enter the shop.  Because their income is solely based on the weavings they create, the family we visited was the most expensive but also the highest quality, which has earned them a constant stream of customers looking for the most authentic of the alfombras. The economic boom that the state of Oaxaca experienced begins in 1948 according to Lynn Stephen’s Zapotec Women, because in that time a major national highway was completed which was “spurred on by the cash earnings that returning migrants began to spend on products produced in Mexico and the United States.”  However, Stephen points out that the market for the blankets made by the Zapotec weavers within Mexico began to die and needed a new market to sell their goods, this market came from the United States. Because of their relatively high price versus synthetic goods the Zapotecs needed the tourist market to sustain not only their work, but their lifestyle. The place we visited cited several examples of American customers who come in and request designs that have meaning to them specifically or to come visit the site and purchase rugs with Zapotec designs.  Their work is exhibited in art galleries around the world as authentic native Meso-American art.  Although the reading follows the changing role of women in the weaving community, the house we visited showed a more traditional role system where the women were in charge of preparing the wool and the men were the weavers. While it is possible that the women were simply not weaving at the time, the man of the house told us that his grandfather was the master weaver and that the responsibility was passed on and there was no indication that the women were involved in any of the actual weaving of the wool once it was processed and dyed. 

Transplanted Architecture

Transplanted Architecture

 

     We land in Oaxaca, and it is not the infamous Mexico City; Oaxaca is clearly not one of the largest cities in the world, ergo the crowding isn't too bad, nor is the pollution.  It reminds me of British-built New Delhi, in India – minus 90% of the pollution and population. 

     We arrive at Bacari Language school, and the architecture evokes a different Eurasian influence: A Moorish one.  With the fountain in a rectangular roofless courtyard, the anteroom of Bacari reminds me a bit of the Alhambra, in Spain.  But the colonizing Peninsulares didn't get this architectural style from their Visigothic ancestors; it came from the Muslim invaders of the Iberian Peninsula.  The subtly-sloped canals of the fountains look quite a bit like the Persian garden & fountain architecture, spread far beyond Iran by their Muslim conquerors.  Such style was brought East, to the gardens of Delhi, and West to Iberia, where the eventually-victorious Spainards brought it to the New World.  East towards India, and west towards pseudo-India, across an ocean, this distinctive architectural style spanned the majority of the globe – and achieved this before the 17^th century.  It is a relic of one of the early hallmarks of globalization. 

     The architecture of this place is a constant reminder of Columbus' re-realization of the wisdom of Aristarchus of Alexandria: that the world is spherical.  Fortunately though, Columbus never arrived at the knowledge of Aristarchus' successor, Erastothenes; had Columbus correctly calculated the distances involved in going west from the Canary Islands to India, circumnavigating Africa would suddenly look like a shortcut.  A balance of enlightenment and ignorance has brought us the confluence that is Mexico.   And the elements of that balance stretched from classical Western culture, across Middle-Eastern civilization, and across the Atlantic Ocean; colonial Mexican architecture entails a globalized style that predates not only the internet, but also, industrialization.

- Justin - 

Oaxaca Globializado: Mujeres, Turismo y Migracion

Oaxaca Globializado: Mujeres, Turismo y Migracion

We arrived in Oaxaca, Mexico at approximately 8 a.m. on December 26^th 2008, we had two hours to spare because our families were arranged to meet us at 10a.m. After an eight-hour plane ride, all we wanted to do was get home and sleep, but a walked around the city was well worth it. The first place we visited was the zocalo (town square), which is less than ten minutes away from the Instituto Becari. The authors Murphy and Stepick in the article, Social Inequality in Oaxaca mentions, “the Zocalo (town square) remains the city’s focal point every since the city’s founding…. It is charming and tranquil, filled with towering shade trees and tropical plants surrounding a bandstand and flanked with the state government office, cathedral, and sidewalk cafes.” This article was right on target with the description of the social arrangement of Oaxaca because walking around the city, especially the Zocalo you are able to experience the city of Oaxaca. It was early in the morning, but I was just in time to witness the vendors organizing their stands to display their beautiful products, ready to be purchase. There were booths in every corner, from beautifully hand made rugs to toys for children. This was a culture shock to me because the city was so busy despite the time of the morning. I am from Hartford, Connecticut and this kind of behavior was different for me.  I also saw the cathedrals like our readings describes which stand stands elegantly amongst hey are the trees and sidewalk cafes.   Most importantly, and I noticed it immediately, was the population of tourist in the city, tourist out numbered the vendors in the Zocalo, which makes sense because Mexico economic is base on tourism. It was also interesting to run into a Professor from a University in Iowa doing a similar program. 

What was even more interesting was visiting the Zapotecs of Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca. The moment I walked into the valley, I began to take pictures. The materials to make the dyes were all displayed for us to see. The house itself was so beautiful and very different from the ones we saw in area we are staying. In one of our article, Zapotec Women, Gender, Class and Ethnicity in Globalized Oaxaca by Lynn Stephen mentions that, “Teotitlan del Valle is an indigenous Zapotec community of approximately 5,000 …located in the foothills of the Sierra Juarez 29 kilometers from the state capital Oaxaca.” This author couldn’t be more specific; the valley is nicely situated in the mountains of Oaxaca. Driving up the mountains all the houses displayed home made rugs. The colors arranged from bright red to dull gray, nonetheless they were beautiful. The rugs are expensive especially in the valley of Teotitlan, but it’s worth it because of the amount of time and work that goes into making each rug. The owner of the home we visited, demonstrated to us the step-by-step techniques to make a rug. I never realize the amount of labor that goes into the making of one rug from Mexico. The article mentions the difference between artificial dying and hand made dying. But, it was mind baffling to see how the different home made dyes are made. Each color came from different kinds of plants and roots that are available right there in the mountains. I believe the weaver we visited would be considered an independent weaver and according to the article, “all weaver in this production unit are household members…they are not paid for their labor…such households own the means of production and provide their own wool, yarn and dyes.” However, the most important and the article spoke a lot about this, was women role in the making of these rugs. Women play a very important role, in this household, the owners’ grandmother is 90 years old and she still works. All the women in this household play a role in the making of each rug.  They are responsible for, brushing, dying, spinning, and washing the yarns. Throughout the owner’s presentation he continuously mentioned his grandmother, mother and wife’s role in his production. The house displayed a variety of homemade rugs, from original designs to requested designs. I read the article, but it was great to see how the  process of rug making unfolded right there in my eyes.

Danique Williams

12-27-08

Blog #3: Greg's thoughts on Monte Alban

December 28, 2008:

                  Today traveling to Monte Alban was yet another very eye opening experience. Seeing the ruins of the Zapotec people and the culture they posed was an amazing experience. The landscape surrounding the ruins was truly amazing. Understanding the history of the conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards and connecting this with pre colonial times was at first very difficult. However once I realized that if the many different groups of people stood as one given the landscape that they posed, Spanish conquest would have been nearly impossible. Seeing the civilization of Monte Alban which had with stood being taken over by outsiders for approximately a thousand years, proves that such a task was possible. One the major factors that helped the Spanish succeed in colonializing Mexico was the internal struggle which took place between many of the different ethnic groups that inhabited Mexico. John Charles Chasteen the author of, Born in blood and fire: The encounter, states “Neither the Incas nor the Aztecs could have been defeated without the aid of the Spaniards indigenous allies.”From seeing the large structures and buildings in which the people of Monte Alban built, it is very obvious that these people took pride in their work and were very hard workers. It seems only normal for the inhabitants of this nation to compete with one another in order to prove who had the best traditions and culture. The Spanish conquistadors played on this aspect greatly when colonializing Mexico even though this took place thousands of years after the Zapotecs inhabited Monte Alban.

                  Yet another problem the indigenous people faced against the Spanish conquistadors was disease. Monte Alban is a Rugged and isolated place. Due to the Sierra Madre mountains this seems to be a prominent theme of the terrain throughout Mexico. Due to this, the people of Mexico were protected for a very long time from the diseases throughout other parts of the world. But with the arrival of the conquistadors so came the arrival of diseases like small pox, syphilis, and many others. John Charles Chasteen: The encounter, later states “Particularly lethal were European diseases against which indigenous people had no natural resistance; contagion ran rampant among Tupinamba slaves in the close quarters of plantations. Any gathering of native population facilitated this “demographic catastrophe.” It seems as though the landscape of Mexico set the indignious up for later major problems as soon as the Spaniards arrived. 

Blog #2: Greg's thoughts

December 27^th, 2008:                 

          Today, traveling to see the Zapotec women and their culture was truly an eye opening experience. When first entering the village, a person of my own background from the States would think that the inhabitants where very poor. However, this is not the case. Seeing the pride and amount of time these people take in their work making Tapetes showed that they are very rich in culture. Tradition is very important and plays a very large role in these peoples everyday lives. Although these traditions are very important it also has influences from outside sources such as the United States.  In the history text, Zapotec Women, by Lynn Stephen he writes, “ Emigrants who have returned to the community have introduce significant changes in community life including the formation of weaving cooperatives, a somewhat expanded role for women in the formal political system, more consumer goods, and increased capital used to invest in house construction and busness.” Since the United States is such a world power its economy can sometimes influence the economics of other nations such as Mexico.  This idea of tradition first struck me when the man who was showing the class how these rugs are made said that he is of the 9^th generation in his family. This was shocking to me when all I know of my family history is back to my great grandparents, and many of are family traditions are very general and Americanized as are many of the inhabitiants of the United States.  

From reading the background of the Zapotec women and the issues on the McDonalds in the Zocolo, I can understand why tradition is so important to many of the people of Mexico exspecally when fighting the outside sources of influence. Felipe H. Lopez in the article, A heated Mc-culture clash writes, “The zocalo, or central plaza, a 473-year-old colonnaded square, is the heart of this city, and it languid beat almost never changes.” After 473 years of existence a person can understand why many citizens are unfavorable to change, since much of their every day lives are based around the very culture which they had fought hard to keep, with battles such as this.

                  But, what has struct as most important so far in my exploring Oaxaca is the importance of tourism in the economy. So far every where I have traveled within the city including the Zocolo and the various markets and shops, as well as the Zapotecs of Valle de Teotalian use tourism in order to make a profitable living. It seems as though without tourism the economy would almost collapse in most of the areas I have traveled in Mexico thus far. Being able to keep Mexico traditional but yet appealing to tourism must be a very difficult task for many of the Citizens of Mexico. It seems as though survival is based on a balance of medium in which Mexico’s citizens must strive to keep things traditional but also appeal to the tourist which provide them with their day to day income. 

- Greg -

Blog #2: Authenticity and The Zapotec Tradition

Authenticity and The Zapotec Tradition

One of the major questions that came up in our discussions today is that of authenticity. Much like our own University store must sell only authentic or licensed merchandise bearing the UConn logo, a similar notion of the quality of authenticity also applies to the craftsmanship and the products of the artisan communities in Mexico. Yet before I get into a description of what exactly makes the products we saw today more authentic than others, let me begin by speaking about a sense of authenticity brought up in one of the readings for today.

In a piece titled the McCulture clash the author describes the ongoing debate as to whether or not a McDonalds should be given a permit to open in the center of the city. In Oaxaca City the central plaza is called the Zocalo. It is a beautiful place surrounded by municipal buildings, a large church, some cafes and a few convenience stores. None of the businesses around the Zocalo are franchises and this is where the debate begins. The argument from those who oppose McDonalds opening in the Zocalo is that since there are no franchises, the area maintains a sense of unique cultural authenticity. On the other hand, some argued that it would not be that big of a deal for a McDonalds to open up, it might even be nice. There are street vendors who already sell hamburgers in the plaza, and others who sell balloons of American cartoons and other cultural icons. So it isn’t so much a question of American cultural influence but another aspect of the debate is that of the authenticity of the food we eat in general. Specifically that we need to move from fast food back towards slower foods. Many of the worlds hunger issues are held up in the need for mass production of goods for multinational fast food franchises like McDonalds, the last thing we should be doing is supporting such companies, which indirectly create world hunger problems. Proponents of the slow food movement sometimes call themselves foodies and they argue for the need for more authenticity in our dietary habits. This includes both the food itself but also the preparation of the food as the basis of culture and society in many ways is based around the diner table. There is a need to maintain the tradition of food preparation as passed down from our ancestors. These same exact principles apply to the weaving practices of the artisans we met today.

The indigenous people famous for the traditional weavings are called the Zapotec. The Zapotec people tend to live and work with their families in a manner equipped with everything needed to make the rugs. The rug weaving demonstration we saw today went through the entire process from the raw materials to the final product. The same exact methods that have been used for hundreds of years are still practiced today; essentially the family that we visited uses only the natural products that have been available since the times of their ancestors. The wool is cleansed with a root, the hair is brushed out and yarn is spun by hand, the dyes are all made from plants and natural materials, and the weaving process takes place on a traditional style loom. Others have perhaps moved to newer technology, detergents to wash the wool, mechanical systems for spinning the wool, and synthetic dyes. The difference between the two is one of authenticity as the traditionalists are preserving the culture and way in which the weaving has been done, a rug today is made the same as a rug made two hundred years ago, there is a sense of quality control as you know what you are getting and how it was produced. The less authentic weavings may not be obviously different but they take away from the unique heritage and practices of the weavers as they have been passed down for generations. Remembrance and respect for heritage and tradition is an important feature of a responsible person and by experiencing or paying attention to the authenticity of things one is able further develop themselves in their capacity to act responsibly.

Finally it allows for a society that demands such authenticity and holds one another accountable for their actions as responsible adults. I certainly hope this is indeed the way in which we are moving as a culture and a society, not only American but as a global community.

- Jeremy- 

Blog Entry # 2: “Oaxaca Globalizado: Mujeres, Turismo and Migracion”

December 27, 2008

“Oaxaca Globalizado: Mujeres, Turismo and Migracion”

            Nine generations.  A grandmother, a mother, a son. . .  For nine generations, members of a family in Teotitlan del Valle have crafted traditional weaved rugs on unwieldy wooden looms.  This family, like many others in the area, helps to support the economy of the region.  According to the selections from L. Stephen’s Zapotec Women, in Teotitlan, in 1986, weaving was considered a primary household occupation and other commonly held jobs were very often associated with the production of weaved products.  As we drove through the streets of Teotitlan, surrounded on all sides by rugged mountains, these statistics seemed to come alive.  Women walked through the streets with brilliantly colored rugs and blankets slung over their shoulders.  These women were grandmothers, mothers and daughters, and the weaving industry allowed them to take on a prominent role in the region’s economy.  As we drove through the small city, nearly every street corner boasted a shop with intricately designed weavings displayed prominently in its windows.  According to Stephen, surveys in the late 1990s indicated that dependence on agricultural production was decreasing as weaving and textile production took on a more central role in the area’s economy.  The importance of weaving, not only as a traditional craft rooted deeply in the history of this region, but also as a crucial proponent of Teotitlan’s economy, was evident as we journeyed through this area. 

            In recent decades, a technological revolution of sorts has changed the purpose and function of the international economy.  Even Teotitlan, the home of old weaving traditions, has been affected by this change.  According to Stephen, many local merchants had begun working for importers and entrepreneurs based in the United States.  Our visit to Teotitlan underscored this statement.  As the weaver proudly shared his work and offered prices for the rugs, he emphasized the fact that he accepted credit cards and referenced his visits to cities in the United States.  It was clear that this family business did not just depend on tourists.  Even so, tourism is very obviously important to the economy of this area.  In Alex Saragoza’s piece, The Selling of Mexico, he emphasizes the significance of Mexico’s “heritage industry” and mentions the desire to attract tourists as a reason for the improvement of Mexico’s infrastructure.  As we travelled through Teotitlan, we were surrounded by heritage industry.  The weavers obviously took immense pride in their work and made an effort to explain to us the historical or cultural significance of many of the patterns.  As tourists, we came to learn about this beautiful tradition and, as some members of our group purchased rugs, we also supported this area’s economy.   

            As we left Teotitlan del Valle and journeyed through more populated areas, we saw an occasional Burger King or McDonald’s. Their flashy signs were displayed in striking contrast to the area’s other local businesses.  After spending the morning learning about the beautiful traditions of Teotitlan, the arguments presented in the New York Times’s article regarding the heated debate about the introduction of a McDonald’s restaurant to Oaxaca’s 473 year old Zocalo began to make sense. While the area struggles to maintain a strong economy and the introduction of these American chain restaurants helps to provide financial support, the restaurants did seem out of place in this culturally and historically beautiful area. 

            My paternal great-grandparents immigrated to the United States from Poland in the early 1900s, and my maternal grandparents lived in a small town in the north of England until they brought my mom to the United States in 1968.  Although my family has made an effort to learn about our ancestors and our past, very little of our knowledge is definite about events and people prior to the late 1800s.  In Teotitlan, family history is the basis of business.  Nine generations of the same family have weaved traditional rugs and have supported the local economy through their participation in this industry.  During our visit, a ninety-three year old grandmother spun wool beside her daughter and her grandson.  Once, her husband had run the business.  After his death eight years ago, her grandson took charge.  Someday, perhaps, one of his children will run the weaving production.  This small weaving shop portrays the importance of culture and history in Oaxaca and is truly the epitome of a “family business”.

- Sarah Harris

Blog 1 - Revision of Essay (in this case, the original essay)

I would like to participate in the Oaxaca Study Abroad program to not just
learn about, but experience Mexico's culture.  As an Agriculture major, I
am well aware that the related workforce is drastically increasing with
Mexican and Hispanic laborers.  I feel this experience will benefit my
future career goals and will give me a better understanding of the lives
of people who I am guaranteed to be working with.  Having taken beginner
level Spanish classes, I can think of no better way than to improve my
language skills than living with native speakers.  I will also enjoy
studying the rich history of the city Oaxaca and it's cultural diversity;
this will be my first time traveling to Mexico so I am sure to learn a
lot.  Between the history course I will be taking along with experiencing
daily life in the city, I hope to receive a well-balanced education of
Mexico's past and present.

- Chelsea - 

My Interest In Studying Abroad In Mexico

This winter session offers a study abroad experience that doesn't interrupt my schedule in determining what major I will eventually choose at the end of this year, as well as earning credits to becoming a spanish minor. One of my personal goals has always been fluent in a second language and as a former student of Spanish it has always been my wish to rekindle the passion for the language I originally felt when I started taking classes in high school. In any job market the ability to speak a second language is extremely appealing and it also opens the door to traveling to any of the other foreign countries that speak Spanish as their national language, or at least give me a head start knowing the basics. As someone who is interested in traveling a lot in life it would certainly make things much easier to speak their language. As a student of this program I'm hoping to learn the basics of the Mexican culture, I'm excited for the opportunity to finally get to experience a culture outside of the one I've become so accustomed to here in the United States. I'm very interested in the social aspects of life in Mexico and how it compares to that of life here. This program is an amazing experience that I hope to be a part of because it's a great addition to my academic resumes as well the benefits of learning the language and experiencing the culture.

Brandon

Why I am interested in going to Mexico?

I participated in a three-month internship in Liverpool England, and while I was there I realized traveling outside of the United States is education within itself. However, while I was there, I learned to adjust to a different culture while interacting with students from culturally diverse backgrounds. My stayed in England enabled me to become more self aware about different cultural groups and to understand their history and struggles. It also allowed me to view the United States differently. This internship impacted my life in many ways. One of the lastly impact would be my ability to know embraced differences. I came back to the United States as an advocate for intercultural relations and cross-cultural communication whether within the states or overseas. My three top goals for this internship is to see Mexico and it’s culture, learn Spanish in a country where it is spoken and gain a different perspective about Mexico and the people living there. According to the internship description Oaxaca Mexico is a very culturally diverse states with a rich history. I would enjoy the opportunity to interact while learning about this vibrant city. I have very little knowledge of Mexico beside the stereotypical images that America’s media presents. I would like to remove these stereotypes about Mexicans, embrace their history and understand their struggles. While I was in England, there was one Mexican intern and one thing I notice was that her Spanish dialogue differed from the intern that was from Puerto Rico. I would like to know why that is? I would also like to practice the very little Spanish I know in a country that does speak Spanish. Lastly, I mention I do not have much knowledge of Mexico history and learning their history from their perspective would be very beneficial. This internship would enhance me as and individual and what I am trying to stand for. It would also benefit me substantially because I am planning to teach in a fairly diverse urban school.

First Assignment

Study Abroad in Oaxaca Mexico, is going to be an excellent opportunity for me to continue my Spanish language skills, as I have already taken 3 courses in Spanish at Uconn. Being able to speak a second language in today's work force is very important in gaining opportunities over others such as employment. Learning Spanish as a second language is especially important to me since I wish to seek a career in law enforcement out of college. This Oaxaca program will also provide me with another LTL credit as I have already taken a one credit LTL class. I am hoping to take the 3rd class in order to receive a certificate for my resume.
Although this program fulfils specific academic requirements, I am also taking this trip because I love traveling. Although I have never been able to enjoy traveling outside the United States other than Canada, I feel that I will thoroughly enjoy learning about a new culture, and getting to experience it first hand. I am very excited about are trip, and can't wait to be in Mexico!


-Gregory Kenney_

My Application Essay

The reason I would like to participate in this study abroad program is specifically to learn more about Latin American culture and to learn some Spanish. Since I was a child I have been around Spanish speaking people, as my mothers parents came here from Cuba in 1957. Looking back on things I realize that it would have been nice to have learned Spanish from a young age and be able to communicate more readily with my grandparents. There have been times when I considered taking a Spanish course but never really was able to fit it into the rigorous schedule of a science major. Also I have always felt that programs in which one is submersed in the language are the best for becoming more fluent, at least conversationally. I therefore look at the opportunity to be enrolled in such a program in Oaxaca, Mexico as one I should not pass up. It is my goal to, after participating in the program, be able to come home and further develop my Spanish speaking skills with my mothers family and perhaps even go to Cuba one day. Furthermore I have only been out of the country briefly and that was to go on a class trip to Canada. I think that due to my heritage it is only fitting that the first experience I have abroad be in Latin America.

-JL-

Revision of Oaxaca Application Essay

During the summer following my Junior year of high school, I worked with fourth grade students who had recently immigrated to the United States from various Latin American countries. As part of a Windham elementary school's summer school program, I worked to help the students improve their English reading skills. I left the program with greater Spanish fluency and a deeper understanding of Latin American culture. As a participant in the trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, I hope to continue to learn about the rich culture and language of this part of the world.


I am a Pre-Teaching Major and plan to study Secondary Social Studies Education. As an American teacher, I must be able to communicate effectively with all students. During the Fall 2008 semester, I facilitated group activities with Spanish-speaking fourth graders at Windham Center Elementary School in an effort to further explore the role of the Spanish language in the classroom.


As a future History teacher, I am particularly interested in learning about other cultures and political systems. Although I have spent many years studying European, American and Asian history, I have never had the opportunity to explore the history, political systems or culture of Mexico and Central America. In Oaxaca, I will have the opportunity to learn about and immerse myself in the culture of this old Mexican city. This program will provide me with academic challenges and would allow me to develop greater fluency in Spanish and a deeper understanding of the rich culture and history of Mexico.

-Sarah-

anxious

I AM NERVOUS...BUT SO ANXIOUS TO GO TO MEXICO!

Mexico Bound!

Ole! Lets hear it for Oaxaca.
-JL-

First Blog Entry [11-December-2008]

Question: How will this [Oaxaca] study-abroad program
help fulfill your academic and personal goals?
.
.
Answer: This Oaxaca program will provide:
.
* 3 Credits in my major
-- I need to graduate.
* 4 Honors credits
-- I need to graduate with honors.
* 1 credit Spanish language study [in a Spanish-speaking country, no less]
-- The Spanish language is widely useful in the Western hemisphere.
* Travel experience in Latin America
-- Travel experience is broadly useful,
and Latin America is somewhere I’ve never been before.
* Knowledge of Mexico’s history and current situation
-- A working knowledge of the world has some value to me
[if it didn’t, I wouldn’t be a history major].
* Familiarity with US-immigration issues
-- This could be useful if I ever get a job at the state department.
-- It will be nice to gain an opinion of immigration issues more nuanced than
my current position: Let everyone in – many of my friends are immigrants,
and they reinforce the stereotype that immigrants are harder-working and smarter than
most Americans. Why work to prevent people from adding themselves as assets
of the United States?
…Of course, there are many things obviously wrong with that opinion,
hence the need to become better informed to revise [or substantiate] it.
* Familiarity with another part of the world
-- ^ Maybe I will not like Mexico, and then not have to wonder about it anymore
^ Maybe it will be a wonderful place, and I’ll decide to live there,
surely for less than the cost of living in the US
^ Maybe it will merely serve the utilitarian purpose of
being another place in the world that I can navigate
* Mexico will provide future research options.
-- There is the obvious topic of immigration, and there is the topic of Native Americans.
The livelihood of Native Peoples could be compared between Mexico and the US,
between more American countries, or between Mexico and the Aboriginals of Australia,
the Adivasis of India, or even some peoples of Asia – the Eastern Tibetans I saw
this summer had a bit of a Native-American feel to them – maybe there are some cultural
commonalities between Native Americans and the Asian peoples they descended from,
10-? thousand years ago.
…Granted, that last one is a bit of a stretch, as most people in Asia don’t live in a traditional,
nomadic manner, like the ancestors in question. On the other hand, Asia is a big place.
And, in my case, academic endeavors have proven to be effective means towards the end
of seeing the world, so, far-fetched research ideas are sometimes worth keeping in mind.

- Justin Maher, 11-December-2008

Just testing the system out.

Brandon

Blog site is up and running

Hey Everyone,

Please feel free to send out a test blog and let my know if there are any complications.  In the mean time, keep working on your readings and good luck on the close of your fall semester.

- Jose -