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| hope college > academic departments > dema > hope blooms |
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Throughout the trip, students are able to explore Mexico’s unique cultural, historical, and natural treasures, as well as some of its social and political challenges, by participating in a variety of group activities and excursions. Past cultural experiences have included:
Building a Habitat Home
"Working with Habitat (during the first week) was a great idea. I loved it!"
Canoeing With An Expert GuideStudents can glimpse exotic trees, flowers, snakes, birds, and iguanas while canoeing in Puerto Escondido under the guidance of Margarito, a local naturalist and expert on the area wildlife.
Visiting a Nautral Cosmetics Producer
Taking a Mountainous Road to La Reforma Waterfall
Visiting an Iguana Conservatory and the Mazunte Turtle Museum
Students learn about the endangered iguanas and turtles endemic to the state of Oaxaca and the efforts underway by private individuals and larger organizations to not only protect but repopulate the different species.
Exploring Oaxaca City
"I really liked having a little time to walk around the city and visit all the historical places. The museums were great." "(Having) time to explore (Oaxaca City) and shop was great. The city has so much to offer." In Oaxaca City, the group is hosted a group of catholic aid workers devoted to bettering the lives of Oaxaca's poor. Students gain valuable insight into the struggles of the local people, as well as mission work in general, by meeting with the Maryknoll Lay Missioners affiliates.
Visiting Artisan Markets and CooperativesJust outside of Oaxaca City, indigenous artisans produce a variety of beautiful, world-famous crafts. Students are able to visit the village of San Bartolo Coyotepec, known for its unique barro negro (black pottery), as well as a weaving cooperative in Teotitlán del Valle where they learn about every aspect of the weaving process.
Touring Ancient Ruins
A favorite excursion of students is the visit to Monte Alban, the ancient ruins of a large Zapotec city high in the mountains outside of Oaxaca City. The park's museum contains a wealth of well-preserved artifacts, and expert guides offer informative tours of the ruins. In the past, the Maryknoll Missioners have arranged for representatives from Flor y Canto (an indigenous human rights activist group) to perform a Zapotec ritual blessing ceremony for the students at the ruins early in the morning.
Taking a Boat TourA relaxing but exciting trip, students can opt to take a boat tour from one of the many local tour companies to see and take pictures with sea turtles, observe dolphins in their natural habitat, and go snorkeling to see the colorful wildlife along some of the rocky coast of Puerto Angel.
Learning From Local Missionaries and Activists
In addition to working with partner organizations, students are exposed to a wide variety of development issues, efforts, and agencies. In Oaxaca City, they get a chance to hear eye-opening presentations about some of the Maryknoll Missioners’ efforts to alleviate poverty in and around Oaxaca City. Their programs include:
Please visit www.mesamexico.org to learn more about the Maryknoll Lay Missoners' mission, philosophy, affiliates, and exciting programs. "My observation of social entrepreneurship in Oaxaca city was interesting. I feel empowered by what the organizations are doing and their intentions, but know there are positives and negatives to every situation… I hope I can make a difference in a large way like these organizations have." "Speaking with the missionaries at Maryknoll
has made me reconsider my reasons for wanting to do mission
work or work overseas. I still would love to work overseas,
I just want to make sure my motives are not to change people into becoming
more like us, but rather of us learning from each other. If I can provide
some kind of help, great. If not, I know that I can grow from learning
another culture."
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