The past two weeks have been filled with new friendships, new experiences, and new outlooks on the varying differences between Social Work in Mexico and in the United States. In the first week we had the great opportunity to visit one of the best universities in Latin America and one of the most prestigious in the world, UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico) in Mexico City. According to Mtro. Rogelio Castillo Trápala, UNAM currently consists of 320,000 students and 26,000 teachers throughout the university.One of many murals at UNAM.
2,000 of those students are 
currently in the Social Work program. [1] A tour of the campus showed beautiful murals and an impressive library. Also impressive were the speakers who talked to the class about the great research projects that had been done and future projects. Many of the students within the Social Work program participate in these projects that focus on social and political issues. From that they are able to build experience working with diverse populations and to learn new skills, insights, and solutions to social and political issues.
currently in the Social Work program. [1] A tour of the campus showed beautiful murals and an impressive library. Also impressive were the speakers who talked to the class about the great research projects that had been done and future projects. Many of the students within the Social Work program participate in these projects that focus on social and political issues. From that they are able to build experience working with diverse populations and to learn new skills, insights, and solutions to social and political issues. Some of the 80,000 books that the UNAM has in its libraries.
They also build experience by working in a practicum for one year. Tw
o of the many options that the students have and two of the places that we visited were a health center and a psychiatry institute. We were able to talk directly to the students and make comparisons and contrasts to practicums in Mexico and the United States. Towards the end of our visit in Mexico City, we met with Victor M. Inzùa who had completed a study on children “in” and “of” the streets in Mexico. You see, in Mexico there is large population of children that sell many types of goods from gum to hacky sacks or who may be working in restaurants or factories along with other types of work that generate money for them and for their family. In his study he found that 35% of the children are working for themselves without a family and 64% are working to help their families to obtain basic needs.[2] To what lengths would you have to go to ensure all members of your family have food, drinking water, and a roof over their heads?
o of the many options that the students have and two of the places that we visited were a health center and a psychiatry institute. We were able to talk directly to the students and make comparisons and contrasts to practicums in Mexico and the United States. Towards the end of our visit in Mexico City, we met with Victor M. Inzùa who had completed a study on children “in” and “of” the streets in Mexico. You see, in Mexico there is large population of children that sell many types of goods from gum to hacky sacks or who may be working in restaurants or factories along with other types of work that generate money for them and for their family. In his study he found that 35% of the children are working for themselves without a family and 64% are working to help their families to obtain basic needs.[2] To what lengths would you have to go to ensure all members of your family have food, drinking water, and a roof over their heads? Boat rides in Xochimilco, near Mexico City.
Some UNAM students visited us in Cuernavaca for one week during Sexual Diversity week. The discussion over the differences and comparisons in Social Work between Mexico and the United States showed that Social Workers in both countries have similar goals and objectives but the needs of the clients that we serve are different. After listening to a panel of speakers regarding gender and sexuality, I couldn’t help but repeat in my head several times, “ascribed gender”. Why is it necessary to put little girls in pink outfits and dolls in their hands? Little boys in blue, toting trucks? Let’s allow everyone to identify their own gender and sexuality, no matter how long it takes.
Group photo of visiting UNAM students, CEMAL students, and teachers.1: Mtro. Rogelio Castillo Trápala, DIA/Depto. Enseñanza , Presentation on study plans and licensure on March 24, 2008 in Mexico City at UNAM.
2: Victor M. Inzúa Canales, Coordinación de Investigación, Presentation on research, March 27, 2008 in Mexico City at UNAM.
-by Jessica Luehring
3 comments:
Sounds like a great visit to the University. I know that Mexico City has a huge population, but I was still shocked to here the population of students at UNAM! I'm sure it is just as interesting to see the differences in the social work program and what they study in Mexico, as well as what they practice.
Safe travels back to Minnesota,
Danielle Diettrich
Impressive is right!! That sounds like such beautiful buildings and art. What a great experience to see how social work is studied in Mexico
Hello, I do not agree with the previous commentator - not so simple
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