On Sunday, August 9th, Augsburg College’s Dean of Global Education, Eric Canny, will join Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and a delegation of 36 representatives of Minnesota businesses, agriculture industry, and education institutions on a trade mission to Mexico City and Guadalajara. From the press release, “During their visit, the delegation will meet with high-ranking Mexican business leaders and government officials, explore trade and investment opportunities, and renew common ties between Mexico and Minnesota.”
You can follow the mission on Twitter with #GovTradeMission.
Augsburg College has operated a campus in Cuernavaca, Mexico since 1979.
Our group was able to participate in an exchange with the National School of Social Work at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) from April 6-10. We participated in many activities during this week-long exchange. The campus is huge; I’m sure we didn’t even see half of it. In our time spent at UNAM, we were able to receive a tour of the central campus and learn more about the murals. The murals that we saw during our tour were located in the part of campus that they call the cultural center.
We also sat in on a class and the professor spoke about values. Sitting in the classroom, we were able to see the differences in what we consider appropriate in the class and what we think is not appropriate. We were also reminded of the cultural contexts we were in and took time to brainstorm about the reasons why we felt uneasy about what we witnessed. We had visits to two different practicum sites. One of the practicum sites was set at a community level and the other at the specialization level. Another tour we were able to participate in was of their musical arts. We learned about their different theaters, museums, and sat in on an orchestra’s practice session. Other activities of the week included a visit to their botanical garden, Frida Kahlo museum, and a boat ride at Xochimilco a lake in Mexico City. The most interesting part of our visit for me was hearing about their School of Social Work curriculum, which will be focused on in the next blog.
This post was written by CGEE staff member Lucy Hardaker, who works at the Minneapolis office at Augsburg College.
When I traveled to Cuernavaca, Mexico this April, I got a glimpse of the life of a CGEE student in Mexico. I landed at the Mexico City airport, where the CGEE driver, Ismael, came to pick me up. He was incredibly friendly, and chatted with me during our 2 hour drive to Cuernavaca, and taught me about Mexico. As a Cuernavaca native, he is very knowledgeable about the region and culture!
For the next two (intensive) days, I observed and participated in the student semester experience. I visited an elementary school where our students intern teaching English, visited a host family, got a tour of the town, participated in class activities, saw guest speakers, and met the students from UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) who spend two weeks with the social work students.
Cuernavaca is a very balanced and accessible city in which to study. It’s not an overly large or sprawling city, but it is also not too small – it has many great shops, cafes, events, and theaters to keep students busy. It’s not “touristy”, so you can get the full Mexico cultural experience. And perhaps one other wonderful perk – it’s BEAUTIFUL!
Aside from the city being marvelous for a study abroad experience, the staff on site are also wonderful people. Each one brings their own expert knowledge and insight about Mexican culture, the town of Cuernavaca, and their respective academic disciplines. They are all kind-hearted and fun-loving, and I had an absolute blast getting to meet them in person!
Who wouldn’t want this great experience in a cool town with fun people?! Thanks to the entire Cuernavaca team for making my visit memorable.
This post was written by CGEE staff member Lucy Hardaker, who works at the Minneapolis office at Augsburg College.
The CGEE Central America semester students are some of the busiest study abroad students around. Not only are they going through an experiential program, but they are doing so amid a busy travel schedule! It was always difficult for me to fully grasp what a “Day in the Life” of a student must be like, but after my short visit to Nicaragua, I am beginning to understand.
First up was a full day of Nicaraguan sightseeing in the cities of Granada and Masaya, including the Masaya Volcano. This was a great introduction for both me and the students, as they had just arrived from Costa Rica only a few days earlier.
The next day, I learned what the academics of CGEE are all about. Students began the day with discussion, and then were taken to a local non-profit center (Coordinadora Civil), where we listened to a guest panel about getting the local youth involved with their country’s politics and social movements.
After lunch, I was given a tour of the Batahola Norte neighborhood where CGEE semester students stay while in Managua. Ruth Garrido guided me around multiple host families’ homes. Although I do not speak Spanish (Ruth translated for me), it was clear to see from happiness on each one of their faces that they thoroughly enjoyed hosting students.
The next day, I saw experiential education in action. Class began with a short film on the history of Augusto Sandino, followed by a discussion about the film, and a previously assigned reading. After the discussion, students were brought to Loma de Tiscapa – the site on which Sandino was executed, where there now stands a monument to him that watches over the entire city.
After only a few short days with CGEE Central America Students, I was finally able to see why our programs are so transformative with my own two eyes. Not only were the Central America staff some of the most friendly, welcoming, and dedicated individuals I have ever met, but the knowledge of the region’s history and culture combined with experiential education model is one of the best ways for students to truly understand the culture in which they are studying.
Words and photos from CGEE-Mexico Spring student, Tim Bishop.
A few weeks ago, the CGEE crew went to Hacienda Panoaya, the childhood home of Sor Juana Inez De La Cruz. If you don’t know who she is, please look her up – she is a truly spectacular human being and deserves to be known.
We did many things, from touring her house and grounds to getting lost in a maze. My personal favorite was the house of birds, where tiny little flapping-things would flit from ceiling to floor and sit on you.
1. Escape from your comfort zone and step outside of your norm.
2. Meet fellow American students who share similar passions and a spirit of adventure.
3. Intern at a local NGO (non-government organization) that not only immerses you in the community, but places you in the heart of current issues Namibia is facing today (something that will allow you to learn and grow everyday).
4. An opportunity to create lasting connections and experience unique personal growth.
5. Make cross-cultural connections between race dynamics in Southern Africa and the United States.
6. The opportunity to open your eyes up to the sides of the world which you haven’t seen and don’t know about in order to become a true global citizen.
7. Live in a small, intentional community where you can bond with other students on a deep level.
8. Interact with people from Namibia and across Southern Africa. By meeting so many people from around the region and taking time to learn about their various life experiences, it is impossible to come away from this trip believing in stereotype about “Africans”. You also get the chance to break down some assumptions about “Americans”.
9. An opportunity to live, grow, and learn in an enriching community (and let’s face it—the nightlife is awesome as well!)
10. Live in a beautiful country with stunning landscapes, mountains, coast lines, sand dunes. What more could you ask for?!
Post from Hannah Schmit, Augsburg College student who traveled to El Salvador as part of a winter break course. Hannah also recorded a YouTube video about her experience.
The crowded plane jostled onto the tarmac and my travel-wearied body snapped Alert. The piercing lights of distant planes cut through the dark blue haze of night. We had arrived in San Salvador. For the following ten days, I along with my classmates and professor, journeyed through the streets, cities, and lives of the people of El Salvador. We began in the city and were given invaluable experiences with church groups and speakers who explained the history of the tumultuous country and gave us glimpses of the true heart of the people. We traveled to a town called Suchitoto, where we heard pure voices of those who had experienced tragedy as they tried to teach us how to forgive. Another voice from Suchitoto spoke of peace and music, of dancing and love, and most importantly of using the gifts given to us by God to make the most out of our lives. From Suchitoto we traveled to Nueva Esperanza, new hope, and met with calloused hands and friendly smiles. The people of Nueva Esperanza showed us the power of family and community in the face of adversity. We remember those who have shared their lives with us and we honor those who passed in the civil war.
A quick but tasty post from Julian Cranberg, who traveled with CGE to Cuba in January, where he was impressed with all the services (but especially the cooking) at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in Havana.
I was in Cuba with a group of Oberlin College students in January. After we returned home, we had a special Cuban dinner that I cooked using the recipes from the fabulous cooks from the MLK center.
I had to drive for an hour to buy yuca, malanga and plantain because these things can be difficult to find in the United States.
Thanks to everyone at the MLK Jr. Center for all that you did during our trip.
