One week in (or close to) the dead center of Mexico, 14 students, 1 assistant, and 1 faculty member constituted one of the most intensive study travel experiences I, personally, have had. In the U.S., 8 months later, we are still processing all that we experienced. It was with the expert facilitation of Jorge Catalan and Wendy Coulson, plus a most gracious hostel host, and exceptional tour guides that we were able to witness so much of the beautiful culture and ever-present challenges of daily life in San Miguel de Allende. We are ready for more, August 15-29, 2019. This time, with service learning.
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| Our group, each contributing an important life skill, interest, and energy to our travels |
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| Student Kate, Teacher Gigi, and Assistant Dan |
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| Excursion: The nearby pyramids, close to where we stayed at a mystical ranch |
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| The mask museum, San Miguel de Allende TOPICS Mexico’s food heritages The Colombian exchange Food and identity Mexico today – NAFTA, the environment, changes and challenges Colonialism and neoliberalism
ITINERARY Day 1: Orientation Day 2: Guanajuato Day 3: Caminos de Agua/San Miguel de Allende Caminos de Agua’s facilities & introduction of water technologies including: rainwater harvesting systems, ceramic water filter production, biochar production, slow-sand biofiltration, passive solar water pump, bicycle water pump, sustainable brick manufacture, and sustainable building practices; Spirulina Viva’s Production (Spriluna Blue Algae Production); Atotonilco, 500-year old UNESCO World Heritage Site Day 4-7: Food, Soil, and Carbon: Vía Orgánica ranch Day 8-9: Water/Impact of foreign assistance on development project Days 10-12: Pozo Ademado Community Center; Participation in the construction of a 12,000-liter rainwater harvesting system during the days. Day 13: Post-Service debriefing/assessment |