Fall 2008
Xalapa

David CLARK-BAROL
Centro de la Ciencias de la Tierra

The internship that I have just recently started in Xalapa has given me the opportunity to work closely with like-minded, environmentally conscious locals, in a truly impressive setting. I am helping complete an EPA designed study that is being completed simultaneously in various locations around Latin America and the United States. The study evaluates air quality, looking specifically for particulate matter and carcinogens in the ambient air, using a “muestreador” or sampler. Every week I accompany two graduate students at the University to the top of the 14, 049 ft Cofre de Perote, an extinct volcano about an hour from Xalapa, to collect air filters that we then send to the EPA for evaluation. In addition to this I am working with Dr. Welsh Rodriguez, the director of the study and a professor of Geography at la Universidad de Veracruzana, to spread the word about the significance of the study by assisting in writing reports and traveling to various conferences in Mexico. Thus far it has proven to be a significant and rewarding experience.

Spring 2008
Guadalajara

Sandra HAMADA
Asociación Jaliciense de Apoyo a los Grupos Indígenas (AJAGI)

AJAGI is a non-governmental organization that fights to protect the identity and human rights of indigenous communities. Based in the state of Jalisco, the organization consists of lawyers, students, and community organizers, and works primarily with the Wixárika (Huichol) community. The majority of issues relate to environmental activism, such as preventing national and international companies from exploiting the natural resources of the Huicholes. One key aspect of the indigenous movement is its resistance in demonstrating their autonomy from the Mexican government. At the start of my internship, I worked in the economics department, where I gathered documentation on the almacén, a community store that is created by and for the Wixaritari people. I additionally worked on translating grants from Spanish to English. The highlight of my internship was the opportunity to attend the National Indigenous Conference, where indigenous leaders from all over the country met to discuss issues, such as the effects of globalization on their communities. One of the difficulties working with AJAGI as a student is that a majority of the work is done in the indigenous communities, which means that it was difficult having a mentor, as many of the members would be out of the city for weeks at a time. Trips to visit communities are a plus, but would also require students to be gone for days, which can conflict with courses. This internship would be great for those interested in environmental justice, international human rights and/or indigenous rights.

Hannah COLE-CHU
Instituto Mexicano para el Desarrollo Comunitario (IMDEC)
My internship was with el Instituto Mexicano para el Desarrollo Comunitario (IMDEC). The organization works on a variety of projects, but all focus on providing disenfranchised communities in México with organizational, educational, and communicative tools with which to improve their specific community needs. This includes environmental, political, economic, and social problems. Within IMDEC I worked with a small group of people on a nation-wide initiative called Poder Ciudadano. In accordance with the previously mentioned focus, this project works in communities within the state of Jalisco to help them diagnose the problems in their communities, and effectively plan solutions that they autonomously can implement. In this way, the project lives up to its name: it empowers citizens to solve the problems within their communities in their own way. This includes improving relations with local or state authorities, encouraging citizens to be politically and socially active, and working on women’s issues. My day-to-day tasks tend to be mini-projects assisting both Poder Ciudadano and IMDEC more generally. For example, I compiled important demographic information (population, level of education, access to drainage systems and clean water, political affiliations) about each of the five municipalities working with Poder Ciudadano, created a directory of all community development non-profits in Mexico, transcribed a promotional video, and updated the catalog of all the books, games, and videos that IMDEC offers. On one occasion I went to the municipalities for the weekend and participated in problem-diagnosis and development meetings, an opportunity that I have not been able to take advantage of again because of my class schedule, though I intend to do so. The working environment is casual, comfortable, my colleagues are wonderful and overall, my time spent there has contributed greatly to my learning of Spanish, my understanding of social problems in Mexico, and my knowledge about community development.

Emma WEISSER
Luvina (*Very strong language skills required)
My internship with literary magazine Luvina has challenged me to grasp the Spanish language and form of expression in a way I have yet to encounter in a classroom. The magazine, which produces editions every three months, publishes poems, stories, novel fragments, literary critiques, and entertainment reviews from Latin American writers. My work consisted of translating these texts into English and publishing them on the magazine’s website.
I had never translated before interning here; however, after working slowly through a few stories, I succeeded in beginning to learn its complicated art. In addition to dramatically improving my vocabulary and comprehension of the written word, I was able to confidently express a Hispanic author’s voice in English. I also had the opportunity to read little-known authors and to learn about current literary movements in Latin America. I didn’t work closely with the editors in the office (it is a small group and they are all very busy), but they were more than ready to help when I had questions about difficult vocabulary or the meaning of a particular phrase and I felt supported in my efforts. The environment was incredibly warm and friendly, and by the end of my time I felt like a part of their small family.

Xalapa

Sarah TUCKER
Matraca
My internship at Matraca was a wonderful way for me to get to know the Mexican culture as well as get close with a wonderful group of people.  I worked with Elizabeth Ortega, who directed the family services part of Matraca.  She was responsible for programming for the women and their families and together we organized classes on domestic violence, sex-ed, and other topics.  The job was great because I was able to develop relationships with several of the mothers and their children and feel truly connected to them by the time I left.

Fall 2006
Guadalajara

Vicki CHIA
Movimiento de Apoyo a los Menores Abandonados
MAMA A. C. is an organization that works with children who face difficult circumstances. Among these are children who for various reasons must work in the street and therefore have limited access to a traditional education, and children who due to their family situations face alcoholism, drug addiction, and physical or sexual abuse. MAMA A. C. runs a school in downtown Guadalajara for children of the former situation and a housing and education complex called La Casa Grande, in a pueblo called San Agustin about 45 minutes away from Guadalajara, for children of the latter. The mission of both of these schools is to provide an alternative transitional education for the children, preparing them not only for formal ‘regular’ education but also for work and life. During my internship with this organization I worked in both the school in the city and La Casa Grande. In the school in the city I worked mainly doing administrative work—making photocopies, designing forms of evaluation and employment, organizing donated books, etc. In La Casa Grande I took on a more academic role, helping out in the classrooms but more often working with the children one-on-one on their classroom assignments.

Kathryn ZIOTO
Mexfam
I spent the fall 2006 semester interning with Mexfam, a Mexican government-run organization which addresses the sexual and reproductive health needs of women. The organization has locations all over Mexico; however, I was working in the location in Guadalajara. The experience was wonderful for someone who is planning on going into public health, such as myself, because it provides the opportunity to see how the most cutting edge of sexual health organizations (Mexfam is the sister organization of Planned Parenthood from the United States) operates. Witnessing the way in which the organization must address sexual issues because of the attitudes and beliefs that Mexicans hold about the issue was such an invaluable experience that can be brought back to the United States and applied when dealing with immigrant clients from this country, as well as the rest of Latin America. The only thing that was difficult in this placement was at times I felt that they did not exactly have opportunities for me to help them in a constructive manner. Many times I was more of an observer than an active participant. However, if someone is interested in this placement, he or she can feel free to contact me to strategize about how to make him or her most useful in the environment, now that after a semester I feel that I have a firmer understanding on where a student could be placed within the organization to maximize their utility. Sexual education in Mexico is a new and exciting process and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to participate with one of the pioneer organizations in this field. I would definitely recommend this internship to anyone interested in careers in women’s health or public health in general, and I hope that I can be a wealth of information for anyone who is considering it as his or her internship.

Briahnna SKINNER
American Chamber of Commerce
AmCham is a non-profit organization that seeks to promote trade and investment between the United States and Mexico. It works to develop policy that is beneficial to businesses in both countries, and provide business information. It also has numerous publications. The different departments of AmCham carry out a number of functions. Two of these are the marketing department and the commerce department. As an intern I mainly worked in the commerce department doing internet searches to provide business information to AmCham’s members. I felt that they did not actively seek to educate you and involve you in their work; you had to really ask for extra information if you wanted it.

Yolanda HERRERA
Movimiento de Apoyo a los Menores Abandonados
This semester I intern with an organization that has been dedicated to helping abandoned children for 18 years—MAMA A.C. My internship consisted of being a teacher’s aid and tutoring. I attend my internship twice a week for a total of 12 hours a week. During, my internship I learn very important life lessons. First, I learned that the human spirit is stronger than I ever imagined. The children I was working with have been abused physically, verbally, and even sexually. However, they sing, dance, play, and laugh like they have never suffered. Being able to see the children enjoy life taught me never to pity them because they know how overcome life’s most difficult challenges. Instead, I have immense respect and admiration for the children in MAMA A.C. I am also very proud of the organization because the have been able to create programs that cater specifically to the needs of the children. Consequently, they arm them with necessary tools so they can be people of service in the future.

Lemar CLARKE
CAMPO
Last fall I spent my summer interning at CAMPO, a microfinance organization in Guadalajara, Mexico. I have grown to understand the importance of an individual’s ability to generate wealth in order to lead a more prosperous and productive life. I was given the opportunity to advise small-business, female entrepreneurs on developing effective business strategies as well as to collaborate with various personnel on reports analyzing the firm’s financial position with creditors. This experience has led to tremendous development in my business and personable skills. I became more appreciative of responsibility and deadlines. Also I overcame the overwhelming challenge of having to communicate completely in Spanish. The opportunity to travel only served to make this a priceless experience which is an integral component to the Middlebury College Study Abroad Program.

Fall 2006
Xalapa

Douglas MC RAE
Museum of Anthropology of Xalapa
I completed my “Práctica Profesional” in the Museum of Anthropology of Xalapa, also known as the MAX. I worked in the Department of Cultural Diffusion, but there are also options in the Department of Education and the Restoration Facility (a great opportunity in particular for studio art or art history majors, restoring the archaeological pieces for display.) I mainly worked giving tours of the museum to groups ranging from elementary-level to university students. This was challenging because it is virtually impossible for a Middlebury student to take the guide education course due to scheduling, but after observing the museum pieces, studying written and audio guides, and following other tours, I had enough knowledge to give a basic tour. I also assisted the Coordinator of Cultural Diffusion in various day-to-day activities and also helped with special events in the Museum, including an international conference about the Olmec culture of the Gulf Coast. There is also a children’s program every Sunday called Los Cuates del MAX that I assisted with towards the end of the semester, but anyone interested should ask about it at the beginning of the semester because it is a good away to insure that you complete the weekly allotment of hours for the Middlebury program. In general, good communication skills are highly recommended, as you will be explaining Prehispanic art to museum visitors. After my experience, I would also recommend setting up a schedule where you can complete nine hours during the week and then the additional 3 hours at Cuates del MAX on the weekend. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to know more about the indigenous cultures of Mesoamerica in the Gulf Coast, an area that contains some of the oldest civilizations on the continent.