1. What did you learn about yourself in this experience?
I learned that I am far more adaptable than I had thought. This knowledge makes me confident to move new places and countries and not be afraid to interact with locals and use rudimentary language skills. I am OK with being in uncomfortable situations, and learned that they are usually routes to knowledge and growth for me. I returned to Oregon with more Spanish than I ever expected, and from this I learned that I can pick up a language far better through speaking than in a classroom.
2. What skills did you gain or improve on this summer? Think of hard skills as well as interpersonal skills?
I gained teaching skills. This is the biggest one for me. I also gained comfort speaking a language without full comprehension or confidence, and learned that people appreciate this more than you might expect. Throughout the course of the summer camp, I gained many organizational skills that I didn't think I had in me. In this, I also became better at planning within a group (in a non-native language...) and learned that I must speak up for myself even if I consider myself the underdog.
3. You all had to write about the purpose your organization served in their community and how your work was to fit in with that mission. Did your perceptions change about how the organization meets the community need?
La Catalina Educational Foundation does indeed have the aim and the community need that I had expected. However, the ways in which the organization attempts to meet these need is far more complicated than I had expected. The student scholarship system runs well and truly meets the needs of hardworking students in the community. The summer camp is also successful in engaging and teaching young students. The other programs, however, face issues of attendance, funding and dedication. Though the community addresses their needs, primarily for English classes, there is a disconnect between the Foundation's course offerings and community attendance. For the organization to fully meet the community's needs this disconnect, whether it be cultural or otherwise, must be closed. How to do that is a big question that I left with, and that the foundation still struggles with.
4. What did you learn about the community in which you served?
I learned much about the strength and pride of the Mexican family unit, which often has an effect on kids' experience with education, especially the young women. It also creates the kindest, most welcoming culture I have experienced. I also witnessed the interaction of the local culture and the other, entirely separate culture of foreign residents. I struggled throughout my time in La Manz to decipher how I felt about this, as the foundation's work would be far less possible without the donations of the foreign community. Signs of economic dependence were very present, though, in the summer low-season which produces few jobs and much economic struggle.
5. Did you perceptions change about the issue or non-profits generally?
After interning with LCEF I felt less comfortable with the idea that most non-profits abroad bring in educated young people from a privileged culture to work for a limited time. Though it positively impacts the community, especially when the non-profit is locally based and founded like LCEF, it offers little stability to the community. I became a stronger advocate for educated Americans considering Mexico when looking for volunteer opportunities abroad.
6. What new knowledge related to your academic discipline can you utilize in addressing community needs in the future?
I didn't learn anything specifically related to English literature or writing, but I did learn that my interest in language and discussion creates a positive approach to teaching, which is vital to addressing community needs all over the world.
7. Has this experience contributed to your sense of being an engaged community member and citizen?
It definitely has. Instead of going back to school for creative writing, I now want to teach in a public high school, at least for a time. Young people right out of college have a lot of energy to dedicate to communities in need.
8. What advice would you have for others embarking on a McGill, Davis or similar experience?
Realize that it is a learning experience, and you can only as much as you can. There will be things in which you wish you could effect greater change, but one summer is a limited about of time and it is best to focus on a specific project than become frustrated that other small projects may be taking much longer than you expected (my own experience). I would also suggest that those considering applying without specific organizations in mind, to consider Mexico. We often go far away when engaging in non-profit work when so much is needed right across the border.
9. What do you wish you had known before you started your first day?
In less developed countries things happen more slowly and in more complicated fashions than here. Do not expect your project to go exactly as planned, but do expect to learn and adapt as things change given what is available and not.
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| I miss you, La Manz. |
