Week 13: New Perspectives and New Experiences

This week we had shorter days of classes which were beneficial because we had to write our final paper for [our] Mexican Context [class]. It was also our third week living with our [homestay] families. We had a trip to a prison here for the policy class, and some members of SEJELA and other social work students came along.

Our prison visit was Thursday; it was really interesting to see because it was nothing like I had anticipated. The facility itself was very clean and modern. It was built in 1998. Before going to the prison we were told we needed to wear jeans, and either a red or navy blue shirt, to not be confused with staff or inmates. There are three stages of inmates that we saw. People dressed in tan were in process, people in yellow had been sentenced, and people dressed in green shirts were getting close to their release. What I thought was really interesting was the focus in this prison on rehabilitation. Inmates could work—some as gardeners, some as artisans, and others worked in the kitchens or in the maquiladoras (factories). We toured the facility which was very spacious. There were flowers and trees lining the sidewalks between buildings too. We also had the opportunity to see the classrooms, and we saw two English classes as well as a classroom where inmates were working towards their law degrees. There we met the first man to ever graduate from college [in a Mexican prison] with a law degree. The focus on education here was inspiring, because the inmates chose to attend classes and work for their education. They were trying to better themselves for their future after they were released. It was a wonderful experience, and the staff at the prison were really inviting. Hospitality still exists inside the prison.

A sign hanging up at the entrance to the prision we visited.

Saturday, Anna [another student] and I attended a quinciñera with my host family. Quinciñeras are a community event to celebrate not only the 15th birthday of a young girl, but also to signify her transition from child to young adult. It’s a way of having the community support around her at a time where she will start to experience many changes in her world. It was really fun to get dressed up and see another Mexican tradition, and to be allowed to take part in such an important day for a 15 year old. We saw her entrance, and the dancing that she and her court had spent months learning. We got this picture with her, sadly after she had changed out of her amazing green dress, and into normal clothes to continue dancing more comfortably. It was really great to think about how important this day was, and the focus on the community being there for her transition from childhood to adulthood. I really enjoyed this time with my family as well to see them interact with their friends and have an evening of conversation at such a happy location. All of the experiences this week were new to me, and eye opening to different aspects of life here, and I cannot wait to see what the last three weeks bring!

-by Kylie Otte