This is a guest blog post from our student social media ambassador, Anthony. Currently studying abroad on the semester program, “Liberal Arts, Migration and Social Change in Mexico.”
Our semester in Cuernavaca is about halfway done and I feel so grateful to be here. Whether it was witnessing the traditional Brincon at the annual Carnaval in Topostlan, hearing from traditional healers and community leaders of Amatlan, or sharing a meal with residents at the Casa Tochan migrant shelter in Mexico City, everywhere we’ve gone shown us another example of dedication, community, and joy as a form of shared resistance.
This program has been comprehensive, to say the least. Not only in the range of topics we’ve covered, but also the range of ways we explored them: We’ve studied migration both through hearing from experts on the immigration system, as well as the lived migration experiences of community members who were willing to share them. We’ve learned about women’s issues, LGBTQ+ issues, and the place of religion in Mexico from public officials, activists, and local progressive churches; we’ve also learned by talking to our host families about their lives as we get to know them.
The more traditional avenues of learning we’re given are also important, don’t get me wrong. Texts, research, and empirical data are all great ways to get a really in-depth, technical understanding of the issues that impact us. But people’s stories, their dreams, struggles and emotions are why we learn about these issues in the first place. Reflecting on this has helped me better understand what I want to do with these stories, and what I want to contribute to my community back home in and outside of the classroom.
