Blog #8: Chelsea's last thoughts on her journey

On December 3, 2008, I met with my advisor to discuss ways to make up credit because I couldn’t attend this past semester. That evening I came home to a new e-mail from Rigoberto Lopez, another professor in the College of Agriculture, saying he overheard our conversation and would highly recommend me to participate in a study abroad program to Oaxaca, Mexico. As I clicked on the link to Study Abroad, I sorted out my different thoughts on my decision of whether to go. This was everything I didn’t know: where Oaxaca was (or even how to pronounce it for that matter), what the course work was like, who else was going, where I would be staying, how I would be flying there, and what we would be doing for the 17 day trip. This was what I did know: I would be getting 4 credits, I would receive a scholarship from the College of Ag, and I should have listened to my dad and taken Spanish in high school. If I was to weigh these two sides, one would think I would choose not to go. However, I then thought about my beliefs. I believe there are much bigger things in life to worry about, and I believe the only thing I would be scared about is that down the road I would regret not going. So with those thoughts in mind, I quickly responded saying I would go…I’d tell my dad in the morning. The next 3 weeks were chaotic: e-mails, phone calls, appointments, applications, vaccinations, etc. But I made it.

            Now it is January 11, 2009 and I’m once again sorting out the different thoughts in my head. This time the scale has changed. The things I now know: where Oaxaca is (along with every other state in Mexico), the history of Mexico in the 20^th century, 7 “silly” and unique UConn students (along with an old T.A. and crazy Professor), and I even learned some Spanish along the way (cacahuetes-peanuts, bomba-plunger, and piel-leather). The things I don’t know: how many miles I walked around Oaxaca city, and how to salsa dance without looking like a fool.

The part of the trip that I enjoyed the most was learning the culture. Spanish and history can be taught in a classroom anywhere, but culture can only be learned through experience. I was most excited about this experience because it was not only my first time in Mexico, but I want to understand the culture more so that I will have a better connection with the migrant workers who I interact with now and in my future career goals.

            There are many things about the culture that I experienced and will be able to take back with me. To list a few: jalepenos on a breakfast sandwich is mild compared to other possibilities, the driving in CT is nowhere near as crazy as Mexico, if someone calls me “bonita” that doesn’t necessarily mean he is a pig, it’s understandable when Mexicans still wear their winter jackets in the spring, and finally, I should appreciate the fact that I am able to stay at home with my family. Due to my family situation, I didn’t have the option to leave for school, and I always wondered if I would be happier elsewhere. However, learning the Mexican culture has left me no longer wondering. The Mexican culture is strongly family oriented, and I can see they have true fun and love together. I was surprised when I came home on in the early afternoon on a Monday and our host mother had at least 5 family members visiting her. Americans keep their lives so busy that it is uncommon to see such a thing, the sad truth of our society. The other part of their culture that makes me grateful to be home is their involvement with migration. Some families are forced apart due to economic reasons, and after seeing the affects of this situation, I can truly realize how fortunate I am to never have to face a situation like that. It seems ironic to me that while some people constantly dream of getting away, there can be people right next to you wishing for nothing more than to go home. When I was asked if I was ready to go home, my first instinct was no, there was still so much in the world to see. However, when I was not so busy later that same day, I realized I was ready to go home. I knew I was ready because I saw my host family using their free time to spend with their family, and if there was one thing I learned on this trip, is to appreciate more the time that I have to spend with my own family while I still can.

- Chelsea Williams