Tuesday, June 24, 2008

first blog from cuernavaca!

this is my first posting from cuernavaca...

i am studying at CETLALIC and have language and conversation for three to five hours a day, with discussions and lectures and visits in the afternoons and evenings. it is overwhelming, but i am learning a lot.

yesterday, we visited barranca altavista, a very poor community in the mountains of cuernavaca, to learn about one family´s experiences and how the ¨gratis¨education system is not really free. families must pay for uniforms, teacher´s salaries, school supplies, etc. and the community is responsible for upkeep and repairs at the school.

today we learned about neoliberalism and globalization and the effects of NAFTA on mexican culture.

tomorrow we will travel to puebla for the afternoon after classes.

the teachers at the school are incredible and have taught me so much. everyone is incredibly progressive and we have local artists visit each day to tell us about the history of their art and sell their work. my family is very nice, although i have been very homesick. i had dinner with a friend from southwestern and being with someone familiar made me feel better--thanks marie!

i hope to be able to post pictures soon!

6 comments:

Ellen said...

Your school sounds awesome! I saw on Facebook that you went to Tepotzlan today. Can't wait to hear about it!

Unknown said...

Hey, hey, JJ!! Good to see that you're blogging!! Keep it up, I love reading about what you're doing!

Unknown said...

Hi sweet friend! Sounds like everything is a mile a minute around there. How wonderful to be surrounded by such passionate and insightful people. I hope you bring back some of the cirriculum, so I can be a nerd and learn from you:) We miss you around here and send lots of love your way!

Ariel

karen said...

Hi Jessica!
It sounds like you are doing great and you are almost a week into your studies! I miss you and hope to have you home again soon to hear all about your travels!! :)
olivejuice,
mom

Alison said...

yay! love the blog... more, please :)

Alyssa and Polo said...

Hi Jessica! your trip sounds awesome! Can't wait to read more and see pictures. The baby is going to be here no later than the 22nd of July~ Be careful and have fun! olivejuice, Alyssa and Polo