GIEU Mexico
Name of program: CGIS: Global Intercultural Experience for Undergraduates (GIEU) Deaf Communities in Mexico in Queretaro, Mexico. GIEU is a community-based service learning program.
Program description: I found out about GIEU, by attending a study abroad fair early first semester. The CGIS department sponsors and hosts the GIEU programs. This trip will begin on July 11th, 2017 and end on August 6th, 2017. There is no language requirement, but students have to learn a bit of Mexican sign language. Before applying there is a mandatory first step session, I attended one at the end of October.
During this trip, there will be two supervisors to guide us through Mexico and assist those who do not speak Spanish. This trip is volunteer based, therefore no one will get paid for assisting the deaf community. The community is in Queretaro, Mexico. All the students and supervisors will be living in a hostel together.
Program Cost: The program is $1,950, this includes housing and some of the meals. Additional snacks and eating out is a separate expense. For transportation about $1200 will be needed, for the flight and taxi ride from the airport to the hostel. For personal spending, this could vary between $100-$200, possibly lower due to the exchange rate.
Application information: The GIEU and scholarship application were due November 5th, 2016. I have already been notified of acceptance into the program, and recently notified of acceptance of scholarship.
Documentation: To keep people up to date with my travels, I will be posting often on my social media, especially my Instagram! I recently got a camera, I will be documenting the entire trip through videos and pictures. I have created a personal blog that I plan to upload my thoughts on the trip, while also blogging for my e-portfolio. I plan to post before I leave, once each week during my trip, and when I return home. I hope to create a vlog that I can upload to YouTube for others to enjoy.
When I realized I wanted to study abroad, it took me weeks to decide where I wanted to go. I began attending our study abroad fairs. I remember myself walking in a large circle, confused as to how I would find a place to go. I finally stopped at a table with two women who were extremely excited to tell me about their program. This is when I found out about GIEU! One of the women told me how all the trips were service based; meaning we would be helping others rather than taking classes. I figured I would be learning, just not in a traditional way. I became really excited to go on any trip with them. I quickly learned about the dates and when everything needed to be turned in and got right to work.
I originally picked to go to Uganda and Mexico was my second option. When I heard the news I was selected to go to Mexico, I felt upset because who would not want their first option? Then I realized the great opportunities I would have from either place I went. The service that I will be doing in Mexico is helping the deaf community in Queretaro. My younger sister and I have always wanted to learn American sign language. Even though I will be learning Mexican sign language, it can essentially boost my learning for American sign language. They are not the same, but they have many similarities, I would be confident in attempting to learn American sign after this trip.
Here at the University, I am studying Spanish, which is very difficult for me. I have thought about minoring in Spanish at one point, but I think I have other plans now! However, this trip to Mexico will give me the opportunity to practice my skills. I hope that while I am there, I mess up my Spanish speaking and learn from the mistakes. GIEU does not require a language (which made me want to apply more!), but the experience of practicing is perfect for me.
From this trip, I am hoping to gain knowledge about Mexico, that cannot be found online and in a book. There are a lot of accusations as to what Mexico is supposed to be like; such as unclean and scary. I want to ignore the stereotypes and learn about it for myself. I have a desire to teach my family and friends back home, about the culture that I will be immersed in for a month.
While participating in Queretaro, I will be benefitting from the deaf community. This community is often ignored and left out of society,because of their inability to hear. I hope that after I serve their community, I am able to take what I learned and bring it back to my own community. After learning Mexican sign language, I want to come home and practice ASL with my family. My younger sister met a deaf girl at school and felt upset at the large barrier between them. I want her to be able to learn and communicate with the girl at school. This would be a great opportunity for me to pursue practicing and give my sister a valuable language that she can use for life.
I never thought that I would be able to travel because it is so expensive! I will forever be grateful, that the University of Michigan, helps students make these experiences possible. This trip might give me the opportunity to travel more. It may even help me land a job that requires me to serve people in the same way. I am extremely happy for this experience and can’t wait to catch my flight!
Leaving the United States is its own obstacle when you have never really traveled out of your own state! I could be classified as a homebody I have never really had the opportunity to travel anywhere. For me leaving the country and entering a new one is quite scary. Not only is it frightening for me, but my parents and family as well. They are just as excited as I am about the opportunity to travel somewhere. But, they are unsure of how safe I will be.
Going to Mexico with politics right now is nerve-wracking to my parents. Even though they want to fully be on board, there is a huge wave of anxiety over them. I know that they really want me to go and I do not want fears to hold me back. I understand that the University would not send us somewhere if they did not think we would be safe. In order to get my parents fully on board; I will have to do a lot of research. Also asking a lot of questions about safety and political issues, in our meetings for the trip. I am hoping that everything regarding U.S. tensions and plans to build a wall, with Mexico is okay by the time we are ready to go. If things do not get better, I have a great fear my study abroad experience will be canceled.
There are a ton of stereotypes about Mexico that people warn me of when I speak of my plans to go. One of them is that as an American girl I will always be watched by Mexican men, possibly kidnapped, or put in the sex trade. I know that there are cases like this all over the world. But, to be in a foreign country and not know much I feel like the risk factors go up. I also worry that my identity as a Black American will cause me to stand out in the country. I do not want to be paranoid my entire trip. Yet, I do want to be concerned for myself and the people traveling with me.
Besides being safe in Mexico, I am nervous about how I will be homesick. I have been at Michigan since summer 2016. I have barely been at home, which makes me miss my family a lot. I know that this trip is an amazing opportunity for me, but I already miss home. I know that I can combat this, however, because the trip is only for a month. Even though I’ve already been gone for so long, at least I can remind myself that I will be home soon! I do plan on having a phone that will allow me to talk to my family, but the issue of service and having Wi-Fi can arise. There is Wi-Fi available in our hostel, however, it will not be as strong as it is at home. This is something I have to keep my family aware of, that way they don’t panic.
I already looked up how much the dollar is worth in Mexico, but I still don’t know if I will have enough to buy everything I need while still in the U.S. I have been applying for and hunting down scholarships, but applying does not mean it’s yours. I know that I can work for the money to ensure I have everything I need. Yet, I know that studying abroad is not cheap. I am not sure how much my parents are going to be able to contribute. Even if I have enough to go, I still need extra to spend while I’m abroad. To stop myself from worrying too much, I am applying for many different scholarships. I know the extra money will be needed, so I got a job at one of our many dining halls. I don’t want my trip to be depressing because I cannot afford things. It is hard work applying for scholarships, going to a job, participating in orgs, and most importantly taking care of school needs. However, the work that I put in now will be appreciated by me later.
I am stressed about making this trip right, and I have been doing a lot now to help later. I understand that this experience will be worthwhile, therefore, I need to focus on all things that will make my trip better. There will be many obstacles before and during this trip, but if I handle them correctly; I know I will be just fine.
-
Apply for scholarships: Besides this bridge scholarship, I need to secure additional funding. I will be applying to the Gilman scholarship which is due March 7th.
-
Buy appropriate clothing: When traveling dress is extremely important. My trip is in July, therefore between April-June, I will be slowing building my wardrobe for the trip. I need to ask our instructors what is appropriate.
-
Create a packing list & secure luggage: I did not include a luggage in my budget! I need to get that figured out before June. I need to start making a packing in March and begin buying some items.
-
Book transportation & Upload travel itinerary: My GIEU group wants to travel together. February and March I need to start finding cheap flights, to discuss a plan with my peers. We can buy our tickets together to ensure we will be on the same flight. Upload all information about the flight to M-Compass by May 16.
-
Familiarize with laws or customs: Starting in May I want to search as much information about Mexico laws. I also plan to send some that stand out to my GIEU groupchat, so we are all aware.
-
Exchange currency: I need to exchange my money for Mexican pesos. I try to regularly check the currency rate, closer to my trip I will check again.
-
Make copies of Passport: My trip it is required to send my passport copy on M-Compass. I will also email this to myself.
-
Notify bank: I will call my bank at the end of June to let them know I will be in Mexico.
-
Plan for hygiene: I use coconut oil every day for my hair, teeth, and body. I need to plan to bring a lot of it. Set a hair appointment in June for braids.
-
Stay up on Social Media: Not only do I have to blog for BSP, I have a personal blog. I need to keep up with my blog and my other media outlets to build my brand.