Explore Social Justice and Community in Mexico

I went to Mexico to improve my Spanish skills and gain confidence moving and interacting in unfamiliar settings and situations. This program allowed me to greatly improve my Spanish - the month-long urban homestay was super helpful for that - and expand my skillset and knowledge of what I can do. In the course of this program I also complete a social work practicum at a local elder care home, and that allowed me to apply and further develop social work skills of empathy and communication, as well as to more completely immerse myself in the local community.

I did the "Liberal Arts, Migration, & Social Change" track of Augsburg's CGEE program, and it was amazing. It doesn't require you speak to Spanish, but it has a robust Spanish-intensive with different levels so it's accessible regardless of fluency.

It's also a great networking opportunity. You'll see a lot of guest lecturers from all kinds of careers (professors, journalists, philosophers, interpreters, community organizers, agricultural/environmental experts, etc.), and you'll get chances to interact with them and sometimes exchange contact info after their visits. For example, I want a career in writing, and I traded contacts with a journalist who spoke to us! The program also offers a few short, free volunteering opportunities that you can add to your resume (I did this and it helped me land my first internship as an ESL teacher's aide). Finally, the regular professors in the program are always willing/prepared to write letters of recommendation: One of whom is helping me publish my first academic paper that I did in her class.

Finally, it was an amazing social experience. There's a ton of bars/clubs, museums, gardens/farms, and a nearby waterpark :D. Some of the stuff we did while I was there included kayaking, arts and crafts, gardening, hiking, museum tours, movie excursions, bowling, ice skating, karaoke, concerts, and bar/club crawls!

I think you'd have a blast if you're interested in any of the following: Latin American studies, Community Organizing, Multi-media Art, Art History, Geopolitics, Anthropology, Spirituality/Religion, Biology/Ecology, Agriculture, Literature, Philosophy, Writing/Journalism, Social Work, & Dance. (take the optional dance class if you can!)

Mexico is a beautiful country. This was my first time traveling to Mexico, as a Mexican American, first generation college student. It was nerve-racking to jump on the plane to study abroad to an unknown place. However, once I landed, I quickly called this place home. We, the students, staff, and citizens, supported each other throughout this four month journey, and it changed me not academically, but personally. Being exposed to a myriad of cultures, food, and events opened my eyes to meet people where they are at, understand their upbringings, and build relationships.

The program that I signed up for completely, changed my life and encouraged me to change the world with the amount of people I meant both my peers and the staff they all provided me with so much knowledge, care, and encouragement that I will forever hold, dear to me the amount of speakers that I got to meet and hear their stories of their struggles and their achievements they experience when dealing with social systems that continue to oppress the Latino community my Host family that provided me with so much warmth and knowledge of basic tradition. The locals that provided so much of a natural experience at no point do I regret taking a a huge leap to living in a foreign country for four months and if I could, I would do it all over again

I was terrified before I left for this program because I had never done something so ambitious as studying abroad by myself before. I didn't speak the language and had no idea what life would be like in Cuernavaca, but the support and care from my peers, the staff, and community members made it way less intimidating and easier to adjust than I thought it would be. It was still difficult at times, especially with navigating the city, but there were always people willing to help with anything I was unsure about. This experience was incredibly valuable for me, both for my academic education as well as my own personal views of myself and the world. I learned more than I ever could have hoped and I feel more secure in myself and my place in the world because of it. The emphasis on being in and learning from community was a very important part of this program that I will carry with me through my own life. I also had tons of fun and met lots of really awesome people who have impacted my life in incredibly positive ways. I feel so lucky to have been a part of this program and hope that more students will take the leap and allow themselves to be cared for, inspired, and taught by everyone who works hard to make this such a special opportunity.

My semester in Cuernavaca, Mexico was an experience that pushed me far beyond simply studying in another country. Through my Social Work in a Latin American Perspective program, I learned in the classroom while also spending time in the community, engaging with people and organizations, practicing Spanish, and learning about social issues through a Latin American lens. I was expected to be open-minded, reflective, and willing to sit with the discomfort of not always understanding everything right away, and that became one of the most valuable parts of the experience. What made Cuernavaca so meaningful were the everyday moments: navigating a new city, communicating across language and cultural differences, listening to people's experiences, and learning from communities rather than assuming I already knew their stories. There were definitely moments when I felt uncomfortable or unsure, but those moments taught me courage. The people I met taught me compassion, and the relationships I built reminded me of the importance of connection. I came to Mexico wanting to learn about social work in a different context, but I left with a deeper understanding of myself and the kind of social worker I hope to become. Studying abroad reminded me that cultural humility means being willing to listen before speaking, to learn before judging, and to recognize that my way of seeing the world is not the only way. It was not always an easy experience, but it was an amazing one, and I know I will carry the lessons, relationships, and perspective I gained in Cuernavaca with me long after leaving Mexico.

I had an incredible experience during my time in the CGE Cuernavaca program. The content from my classes addressed issues that are still relevant 7 years later (such as migration, gender politics, globalization, and pre-Columbian art and more). I had a very unique opportunity to intern with a local plastics printmaker who creates beautiful social justice pieces.

This work has inspired me and continued to carry on as inspiration personally as an artist, art historian, and for someone who works in the non-profit section in Minnesota working for Indigenous artists and community development. It was an incredible interactive learning environment to be able to study and then be able to visit sites and meet many individuals from different communities.

The CGE Crossing Borders Program in Cuernavaca was an extremely significant experience in my life. The staff are incredibly well-versed in their areas of teaching as well as teaching cultural awareness. They are well connected to the community and have strong emphasis in community learning. Overall, the values of the program were very in line with my own, including their education philosophy and commitment to social justice and anti-oppression work. Cuernavaca is a beautiful city to explore with rich history and culture. My homestay experiences were the best memories I have to look back on. My Spanish improved immensely and I was able to communicate with people even with limited Spanish. This program is a must if you are passionate about cross-cultural learning and learning about cultural resistance through colonization. I learned so much about Mexico's history and culture, as well as learning more about myself everyday. This program is absolutely worth your consideration!