Anteaters make cultural and personal connections during Field Study in Mexico
“Fun,” “impactful,” “emotional,” “rewarding” and “a wonderful experience” — these are just some takeaways UC Irvine students have from their weeklong Summer Field Study in support of community-based nonprofits in Mexico.
Ten Anteaters were chosen to work from July 21 through 27 at Centro Fox, a presidential history center founded by former President of Mexico Vicente Fox in San Cristóbal, near his ranch in Guanajuato. It marked the third consecutive summer for the unique program created by the UC Irvine Career Services and Field Study Pipeline and the nonprofit Fundación Vamos Mexico housed at Centro Fox.
“My week at Centro Fox was filled with beautiful moments that I will treasure for the rest of my life,” says Susann Martinez, a double major in psychology and criminology, law & society who is heading into her senior year. “Centro Fox created an unparalleled environment that fosters inspiration and connection.”
Martinez’s Summer Field Study classmates were: Rodolfo Alcala-Davalos, Jose Ambriz, Viridiana Alvarado, Esmeralda Coeto-Medina, Ashley Jauregui, Citlaly Guadalupe Lozano-Huerta, Kailey Jocelyn Morales, Glory Perez and Lizbeth Ciranda.
Over the course of their trip to Guanajuato, these students experienced a rich blend of cultural exchange, leadership development, and hands-on community service. They participated in a variety of structured activities aimed at deepening their skills while being immersed in the social realities of rural Mexican communities.
Before crossing the border, Anteaters met virtually with students from Fundación Vamos Mexico’s Activating Leaders in Social Action (ALAS) to learn about community-based projects that had been in development over the past year. These projects addressed a range of issues, from math literacy and animal cruelty to environmental beautification, disability inclusion and reading support for children.
For their first project in Guanajuato, some UC Irvine and ALAS students teamed up for tree planting and beautification while the rest of the group visited a nearby school to paint recycled tires that would become garden planters.
During the various projects, special events and daily meals that followed, Anteaters learned about social issues, the Mexican electoral process, former President Fox’s accomplishments, how area schoolchildren learn and their personal stories. One highlight near the end of the trip was getting to meet the country’s former leader. Each UC Irvine student introduced themselves and shared reflections of their experience in the program. According to those present, Fox responded to each student personally with encouragement and passionate advice.
A different encounter proved to be very emotional for participants. The students visited a local park to meet with elderly community members whose children had migrated to the United States.
“These abuelos and abuelas shared their wisdom and life experiences, offering valuable intergenerational perspectives,” reads a trip timeline compiled by Lozano-Huerta, Coeto-Medina and Alcala-Davalos. Yet another student said she got choked up thinking about her own grandmother.
Other precious moments came during informal downtimes, where the ALAS and UC Irvine students played games and had stimulating conversations that led to deeper connections. Their final evening in Mexico before returning home featured a festive street tour led by a traditional musical troupe.
“We danced, sang, laughed, and shared jokes,” the Anteaters wrote. “Although the night ended in a sudden downpour, the joy we felt was unmistakable. We returned to the hacienda and said our goodbyes to the students.”
Many said they got emotional saying goodbye to their new friends. “Although we were all sad that our trip was over, we were happy that we had the opportunity to experience this and that we all grew attached to one another,” wrote Lozano-Huerta, Coeto-Medina and Alcala-Davalos.
Martinez agrees.
“The most impactful part of the experience was the time spent with the students from the ALAS program,” she reflects. “Before arriving, we were informed that previous cohorts expressed a desire to spend more time with the ALAS students, and having now had the privilege to engage with them myself, I understand why. The bond that developed between the UCI Social Ecology students and the students from the ALAS program was genuine and profound.”
Throughout their time at Centro Fox, the students learned valuable lessons in leadership, cultural exchange and community-driven service that extended beyond what could be achieved in a traditional classroom setting. Rather than simply discussing leadership as a theoretical concept, they witnessed it in action through the ALAS students, who were already making tangible impacts in their communities that live up to Centro Fox’s goal of making the world a better place.
“When I think back on activities or experiences, I remember the laughs we shared and the feeling of community,” Martinez says. “The atmosphere was vibrant and everyone approached each other with friendliness. I will continue to treasure the connection we forged. I am sincerely grateful to Centro Fox and Fundación Vamos México for creating a space where such connections could form across institutional boundaries.”
– Matt Coker