When I look back on my experience in Guanajuato, I think some of my most positive memories are of the hours that I spent both at the home for the elderly and the orphanage. Both volunteering positions were challenging, but I feel as though I learned so much. Going to sit with the elders, I heard so many amazing stories about their upbrinings in Guanajuato or being young students in Mexico City. At first, I had such a hard time with language, but the hours listening to the residents (many of whom had no teeth!) improved my listening skills hugely. I had wanted to be do volunteer work in a health-related field and the experiences of talking to the nurses and assisting them with their care definitely solidified my intent to pursue medicine as a career. While the residents of the eldery home seemed to speak too slowly and softly, the little girls at orphanage all talked at once, incredibly quickly and with many unfamiliar turns of speech. Though it was hard in the beginning, the time that I spent listening to them, hearing their stories, learning their songs and trying to assist them with homework helped me so much with learning the language and understanding the local culture. The positive experience I had at Buen Pastor inspired me to do more tutoring work with younger students when I returned to the US and to remain interested in education and care for girls from impoverished or abusive homes.
I am so glad I participated in ELAP--I think it was one of the most fulfilling things I did during my time in Guanajuato.
Emma Smith - Yale University
Guanajuato, Mexico - Intensive Month ISA + ELAP 2007
I developed both academic and practical skills. On the academic side, I was conducting research while at my placement, which helped me in my thesis. My research was both quantitative (based on data collected from surveying the clients at the organization) and qualitative (ethnographic research). I am now taking graduate classes, and as a graduate student I still apply those skills I used while conducting research for my classes.
I also worked with young children while at the organization (educating them on nutrition), and I am currently a first grade teacher. Thus, I developed some teaching skills through my work.
Malgorzata Grabowski - University of Chicago
Guanajuato, Mexico - 12-week ELAP 2006
I would say that ELAP completely changed my life. My experience as an intern changed my career path, and all the plans I had for the future. I graduated in May 2009 and I moved back down to Guanajuato the following summer. I have been living here since and teaching English! I originally just wanted to volunteer at the orphanage, but was unexpectedly placed at a school to teach as well. I was scared out of my mind! Now I am a teacher here! Working with both groups of kids also made me decide to continue my education. I am studying for an M.A. in Youth Development through Michigan State University.
Thanks for all the help you gave me.
Ann Marie Gordenier - Michigan State University
Guanajuato, Mexico - Fall 16-week ELAP 2008
I lived in Guanajuato from July 2007-June 2008 while participating in an ISA study abroad experience. During my time in Guanajuato I spent many hours volunteering at the food bank I learned about through the ELAP program provided by ISA. Twice a week I took the bus out to the other side of the city to spend the day sorting food, hauling donations, picking up products, and most importantly distributing the despensas to those whose basic need for food was not being met. During my time at the food bank I developed close relationships with the other volunteers and employees of the organization as well as with some of the recipients of the food items. My experience at the food bank allowed me the opportunity to meet a sector of the Guanajuato community that I surely would not have met under other circumstances. In addition, I had the great opportunity to travel to surrounding rural communities and see the positive effects of a successful social service organization in action. My experience at the food bank in Guanajuato was an integral part of my year-long experience in Mexico. I met people I wouldn't have had the chance to meet otherwise, I got to experience first-hand the interworkings of non-profit organizations in Mexico, and I had the good fortune of bearing witness to gracious individuals offering gracias after gracias for having one of their basic needs met. I am glad for my experience at the food bank and see many parallels to my current job at a community center that serves people whose basic needs are also not being met. Lessons in compassion, humility, and patience that I learned in Guanajuato come in handy these days when faced with challenges in my current line of work. Though thousands of miles apart and narrated in two different languages, my work at the food bank in Guanajuato and my service to the community center where I currently work are more similar than I could have ever imagined.
I hope that the information I have provided proves helpful in the further development of ELAP and ISA programs. My time in Mexico is on the top of my list of best experiences and decisions I have made and it was largely in part to the wonderful people who work in the ISA office in Guanajuato.
Sam Crossley - University of Wisconsin, Madison
Guanajuato, Mexico - Year 2007 - 2008 + ELAP