Kayla is an Augsburg student currently abroad in Namibia with CGEE spring 2016. This is an excerpt from Kayla’s blog post, “Rural Northern Namibia”. Her blog is a great resource for anyone considering study abroad in Southern Africa, and prominently features her breathtaking photography, poetry, and other projects! Thanks to Kayla for sharing!
“While we were prepped not to expect electricity or running water, we quickly discovered that rural Namibia is just as diverse in its amenities as homes anywhere else might be; in my home the television is a staple piece of entertainment and electricity is plentiful, while running water existed only at a tap from the ground a few meters from the living quarters. While electricity is plentiful at my homestead, the family still uses traditional practices of the open fire to cook meals– incredible meals, I must add!”
You can find more of Kayla’s stunning photography at her website.
Enjoy this photo and description shared with us by Claire Bransky, a St. Olaf student currently abroad on our Central America program!
This is my classmate Ainsley Kilpatrick, my professor Judith García, and me singing “El sexo débil” as part of our final for Women in Latino Literature at Casa Xelajú in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. We spent five weeks reading novels, discussing feminism, and learning about gender norms as the first segment of Social Change in Central America. Ainsley and I decided to make our final presentation about the plurality of feminisms – a controversial topic in Guatemala – and we finished by singing our new favorite song.
As Judith loves to say, “Mujeres al poder!”
This post was written by Ann Lutterman-Aguilar, site director at Augsburg CGEE in Mexico (Cuernavaca). Please note that Cuernavaca and Mexico City were NOT impacted by Popocatépetl’s recent eruption – all CGEE students & participants are well and accounted for.
Greetings from Cuernavaca, where all is well.
By now, you may have heard news of volcanic eruptions in Mexico. I want to assure everyone that the recent eruptions have NOT affected Cuernavaca or Mexico City, The volcano that has alerted news services is Popocatépetl (known locally as “Popo,”), a beautiful mountain approximately 40 miles east of Cuernavaca, 43 miles southeast of Mexico City, and 30 miles west of Puebla.
With a threat level of 3 (7 being the highest), there are no evacuations taking place in the areas typically impacted by this volcano. As a result of ash clouds, the Puebla International Airport did close briefly from 7 am until 1 pm, when it was fortunately safe to reopen.
It is important to know that the primary concerns regarding potential damage from these eruptions is gritty ash that can harm people’s lungs if not protected. Since The Center is on the other side of the volcano, we are not in serious danger of ash raining down on Cuernavaca. Nonetheless, we do have face masks ready to use should that ever become necessary.
I have lived here for over 20 years, and have frequently climbed in the area of the volcano and talked with members of the National Rescue Team who are involved in evacuations, I feel very confident that our program participants are safe. Of course, we will continue to monitor the situation and take any necessary steps to continue to ensure their health and safety. In addition, as an added measure of precaution we have added an extra safety session to our ongoing orientation procedures.
If you have any questions or concerns about this situation, please contact me (Ann) at lutterma@augsburg.edu, or Leah Spinosa de Vega in our Minneapolis location at + 1 (612) 330 – 1650
Photos and text are from CGEE’s IRA (International Resident Assistant) in Mexico, Laura Aguas.
This is a picture from the UNAM week, the week Social Work students visit the National School of Social Work (ENTS) of the UNAM. Students in this picture, are with social work from the UNAM, at their field placements. The UNAM students are doing their practicum/internship with a community in a rural-urban part of Mexico City. The students conduct research on the community’s resilience to keep their properties, and to look into how the community could be empowered.
House members and students at the migrant shelter in Mexico City, Tochan. The migrants and students exchanged experiences of what they consider to be their home. Students were honored to hear their stories and share a meal prepared by a couple of house members. The members surely want our students to go back and visit!
“La Bestia” train – a project by one of the migrants at the Tochan shelter. He and other house members are creating art pieces for a raffle, to support their house.
CGEE students visit a UNAM field placement, Casa Cuna, a shelter for youth. The UNAM students prepared a wonderful presentation for the CGEE group, explaining their investigation for the preparation of a suitable intervention for youth in crisis. CGEE students were fascinated by the work of UNAM social work students and the attention given to babies and children at the shelter.
This is a guest blog post & photos from Crystal Winkelman, a St. Cloud State University student currently participating on CGEE’s program, “Social Work in a Latin American Context.”
So much has happened in the last month in Mexico! After a long week of midterms, I was able to enjoy my spring break! I traveled to Ixtapa, Mexico for Semana Santa and got to go horseback riding, swimming with the dolphins, snorkeling, swimming in the ocean along with many other activities. After Semana Santa, Augsburg CGEE went to “UNAM” (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) and spent the week in Mexico City.
Augsburg’s nursing program went to Nicaragua in March 2016. Here are some photos from their time abroad! Photo credit Augsburg CGEE staff member Juan Carlos Lopez.
Amanda is a junior at University of Vermont, who is studying abroad in Mexico with CGEE spring 2016; and studied abroad in Central America with CGEE fall 2015. This is an excerpt from Amanda’s blog post, “What to Expect from a Homestay Experience”. Her blog is a great resource for anyone considering study abroad in Latin America! She also has travel tips for traveling as woman, and traveling as a woman of color.
Living with strangers who may or may not speak the same language as you can be very intimidating. I’ve had over 10 homestays in Latin America so far, both rural and urban, and it is safe to say I truly owe my amazing traveling experiences to them. If you want to get a better idea of what it is like to be a part of a homestay, look no further!
Did you know – as an Augsburg College student, you have access to study abroad programs in 90 different countries around the globe (including USA programs)? Here is one Auggie’s global story (Returned and want to be featured? Email us at abroad@augsburg.edu to share your global story):
Major:
English Literature/Creative Writing
Minor:
Marketing
When did you study abroad?
Spring 2015 semester
Where, and on which program, did you go abroad?
Did you know – as an Augsburg College student, you have access to study abroad programs in 90 different countries around the globe (including USA programs)? Here is one Auggie’s global story in our new blog segment #AuggiesGoGlobal:
Major:
English LLT
Minor:
French, GSWS
When did you study abroad?
Fall 2015 semester
Where, and on which program, did you go abroad?
What made that program a good fit for you?
I chose CEA because they had a variety of homestay, residence hall, and apartment options for housing. In addition, they had an abundance of different class options. CEA also brings students on excursions throughout your abroad experience, which are all included in the program fee. The staff was incredibly kind and helpful in navigating culture shock and everyday life in a different country.
Continue reading “#AuggiesGoGlobal Featured Student: Asher L.”
