Week of June 4

There’s a first time for everything. For me it was traveling internationally and being able to take part in an internship. This experience alone was one of the best choices I’ve ever decided to make. I had a tough semester and getting myself together for this trip seemed overwhelming. Week one was the ice breaker. I was getting to know everyone in my travel group and the Human connections staff. I didn’t have too much of an idea of how Mexico was going to be so I kept an open mind. The entire area in Bucerias was beautiful and our hotel had the luxury of being along the beach. The balcony at the hotel had a spectacular view of the entire bay of Puerto Vallarta. One night I was extremely lucky enough to spot a cruise ship sailing across the bay at the night. The entire month was a bonding process for all who came. Weeks one, two, and three were definitely enjoyable and it seemed as if we were a small family in the end. The Human Connections staff were some of nicest people I’ve ever met. Elly, Cascade, Maya and Kenzie were very enthusiastic throughout the whole experience. They informed us about where to eat, where to travel to, how to communicate with the locals and how to be a responsible tourist. The only thing they couldn’t teach us was how to drive in the city. All the motor vehicle laws seemed to be backwards from what I was used to in the United States. For example, if one wanted to make a left turn they would need to be in the right lane way ahead of time. This was extremely confusing but I caught on over time. I am one whole loves food so every where we ate I never had any issues. They kept us fed 75% of the time and finding food was easy.

                I believe the goal that we all had in common was to survive until the end. Not everything was sweet. We hit a couple bumps along the way, but everyone turned out fine. EntreAmigos was the gamechanger of the trip. We went from Airconditioned hotel with a pool and beach nearby to summer camp dorm room. In my opinion, heat and the weak signal of the WiFi was the only issue I had with EA. Some nights were intensely hot but we were lucky enough to have personal fans and outlets in the bunk beds. At night there were a few bugs but never in my bed. One night I seen an Iguana chewing on the sheets of my colleague. EA was an old meat factory that got transformed into a center/daycare and it was open to the public. It was my first time seeing a building that was made of 75% recycled material. The bathrooms had walls of recycled bottles and barrels as urinals which was completely creative. It was convenient for the women with children because it had a built-in daycare and computer lab. It also had a library area, kitchen and sales area. Nicole, Marianna, Sarah and Plantate were amazing individuals. Their classroom settings were professional and informative for me and others. I learned a lot from the leadership program. I realized I was missing confidence behind the scenes. The workshops were held in the freezer room which had A/C which made it a conducive learning environment. Nicole invited us all to her home and we ate dinner on the roof and had a nice view of the sunset. I believe EA was located in San Pancho. A city built in the jungle/rainforest. On one excursion to a hidden beach I remember seeing small crabs running across the street. This was shocking and hilarious. We were warned about the scorpions but I didn’t see any. This experience opened my eyes to what third world countries were like and I had good time. It was sad that it came to an end and to see everyone leaving. I think everyone was ready to go but honestly I’d go back and visit before summer is over. With this experience I feel I gained a lot of insight for my future. I learned how to be a responsible tourists, logistics, confidence and good qualities in becoming a leader. I admit I missed being home in my apartment but I really miss the vibes in Mexico. I will carry this experience with me forever and hope to put all the new knowledge to use in the real world. I also want to be eco-friendly and spread the word to others. I’m glad this trip was a success and I hope to find more opportunities similar to it.

Week of May 28

Living in Mexico has been a positive experience. All of the communities we’ve traveled to have been welcoming. The food is delicious, and the internship has been a success.  Over the last weekend, my group and I went zip lining at La Playa Grande in Puerto Vallarta. We met Daniel, who was one of the owners of the entire park. This man inspired me by showing how hard work could pay off. They started from scratch with just a mountain range in Puerto Vallarta. Daniel and a team of individuals bought the land acre by acre until they were able to set up zip lines from mountain to mountain. Wild life was a temporary issue and to combat it they planted motion sensor cameras in scattered locations. These cameras are able to detect animals like cheetahs, pumas, and other wild life that lurk at night. Once spotted the camera flashes a picture and alerts headquarters of the exact location of the animal and time. During Daniels presentation they had a handful of photos for us to look through. These photos were amazing and frightening at the same time. Also, Daniels crew were building huts for overnight use. I would describe the land as a paradise. Daniel had a team and invested in something that could profit him, his family, his team and bring joy to thrill seekers. The idea of it all is almost genius. His ideas never settled for less; therefore, inspiring me to be open minded to bigger pictures. Mexican culture is something special. The people here hustle hard to take care of their own and I take notes to be able to do the same for mine. One day, I would like to be a leader. It could be for a community, boy and girls club, a company or even my family. I think everything that occurs in life is either going to hurt you or make you stronger. We are not just on this earth to take up space. I feel everyone has their purpose in life and it’s their job to figure out what it is. On my behalf, I’m not sure what it is but I like the path that I’m on. During this study abroad trip I’ve met some phenomenal people that I will remember forever. They helped me improve my confidence and showed me the

qualities to a good leader. The goal in life is to persevere through every obstacle. Once you stop, everything stops. Stopping in life means to settle and who wants to settle for less. I prefer not to do so and I want to continue exploring what the world has to offer and find my purpose. 

Dairy/Corn Workshop Adventures

Here our some photos with Don Segis, his wife, his sister, and group members from the internship. We were on his Ranch attending his corn and dairy workshop. We learned about the history of corn, how it originated from Mexico, the process and all different types of corn that grow in the area. Corn is extremely relevant in agriculture due to its use in markets, feeding livestock, tortillas and elotes. We also got to experience the step by step process of making quality cheese. In the photos you see Segis's sister cut the cheese into slices and they tasted absolutely amazing. Overall I'm just happy to bond with someone who is passionate about their dreams and willing to accept support from our team. Being here is truly an honorable experience allowing myself to grow and remain adventurous throughout college.

Week Of May 21st

It’s my first time being in this region and it has been phenomenal. Week one going into week two I expected to get to know the locals better and to explore the new areas around the bay of Puerto Vallarta. I would have never thought I’d be this comfortable living in Bucerias, Mexico this along. Mexico is portrayed as an unindustrialized war zone with drug filled slums and unworthy police forces in the media. Being here for two weeks has completely proved those stereotypes wrong. The weather is hot and humid, but I knew that was coming due to me having a history in California. I didn’t expect the locals here to be as nice as they are. I’ve heard people call this area a hardcore tourism spot. I consider this area filled with entrepreneurs focused on expanding their businesses for better well-being. Everyone here is creative in their own way and unique crafts and food that you can’t just purchase anywhere. Mexico is original with what is has to offer to its tourists. In the beginning, I thought our group tasks were going to be difficult and unapproachable. This changed over time because all eleven members including myself split into teams to even the workload. Together we’ve accomplished completing each task efficiently.

                The community just like any other has political and social issues. Certain issues can’t be solved right away. The first thing I noticed shortly after being in Mexico was the unsanitary water. Water is essential to life so at first, I didn’t understand how that could be possible. More information was provided later on stating that it isn’t fully contaminated, but it does have heavy metals present that can make you sick. This was a surprise to me. I’m so used to using tap water, for drinking, ice cubes, hand-washing, showering and brushing my teeth. To combat this issue the hotels, and grocery stores have supplied water jugs and an endless supply of purified water brands for the entire area. However not all areas have this issue. It all depends on when the building was and how good the contractors were. The water plants in Mexico provide clean filtered water for its population but after traveling miles in out dated pipes it becomes undrinkable. Replacing these pipes is something the government would have to fund but it seems its not at the top of their to do list. Also, the communities could use more exposure to the public. There are so many areas that tourists won’t travel to unless there is well lit areas and a trusted map. The food businesses are ten toes down here. Everyday workers are up early setting up shop to serve their meals to the locals. Honestly, I respect the pride and culture in Mexico. The people here are hard working, dedicated and humble.

Week 1 in Mexico

Week One in Bucerias, Nayarit MX

Week of May 14:  

I'm very excited that I was selected to be part of this internship in Mexico through Human Connections. I'm looking forward to a variety of things that will enhance my perspective on life. First, I'm hoping to connect with the locals along with the other interns and build friendships that will last a lifetime. I also look forward to learning my way around and taking on adventures through the entire area whether its by bike, bus or taxi. I've seen many pictures and videos of how beautiful Mexico is and this has already added fuel to my excitement. I'm well prepared for the heat because I used to live in southern California and some weather conditions may be similar. I want learn more about what political issues occur in the economy and how businesses are operated.

A goal I plan to achieve from this internship experience is to not be afraid to step outside my comfort zone. The thought of being out outside the country in a foreign area can be nerve wrecking for some but for me it's not the case. I have awaited this moment of traveling abroad for sometime now. I want to show my fellow colleagues, family, and friends that the world welcomes them and has more to offer than just their daily routines. Another goal is that I plan to improve my Spanish speaking skills and put them to use with citizens in the area. I know Spanish will be the dominant language in the area;therefore, the more comfortable I am with conversing with others the better I'll be later on with less mistakes. Lastly, I plan to make this internship a success. I want others back on campus to be informed about what exactly I did and allow the program the expand in due time.