 |
| Social work students exchanging experiences with Mexican teaching students. |
This week was also the first week of
internships for Augsburg Social Work students. CGE Mexico places students at a
variety of agencies/organizations based on their interests and where need is
present. These agencies focus on women’s reproductive and sexual rights, care
for senior citizens, and school for those with cerebral palsy. I am currently
interning at Centro Educativo La Buena Tierra, a school that serves a
marginalized community in Cuernavaca. I work in the Kindergarten and on a
typical day, I help serve the students breakfast, assist teachers in the
classroom with lessons, and play with the students, of course. I am truly
enjoying my time at this agency and am looking forward to learning more about
their relationship to the community.
On Friday of this week we had a talk
about fair trade to prepare us for a future talk from the Artesanos Unidos
(Artisans Together). According to Fairtrade International, “Fair trade is an
alternative approach to conventional trade and is based on a partnership
between producers and consumers. Fair trade offers producers a better deal and
improved terms of trade. This allows them the opportunity to improve their
lives and plan for their future. Fair trade offers consumers a powerful way to
reduce poverty through their everyday shopping” (“What is fair trade?” http://www.fairtrade.net/what_is_fairtrade.html).
Do you shop fair trade when you have the opportunity? If
so, where and why do you choose to purchase products with the fair trade label?
-- Natalie Newberry
-- Natalie Newberry
Another exciting photo -- neat to think about the school social work and environmental social work -- "person in environment"!
ReplyDeleteTony
It had not occurred to me that the international students would have the chance to tie these huge political issues into their social work learning while away. Fair trade practices have a real and tangible impact on the lives of people living in countries where business and labor practices are so different from what we expect here in the States. I am so excited for you all to have this experience and see the intersectionality of the identities you bring, in contrast or as they align with those of your hosts. The integration of this experience into your practice values will have far reaching implications. And I would also bet that you will have a whole new awareness as a consumer regarding the sources of products you use!
ReplyDeleteYou blog makes me super excited to go to Mexico! Your internship sounds like it is amazing and everyone is really placed in places in need. Quick question, do they place students based on their Spanish proficiency as well? It is really exciting to be able to share opinions on the education system and also learn about other countries educational system as well. I think it is great to be able to share from ones experiences and be able to get a sense of culture through the experience of being able to intern at a school. And to respond to your question of fair trade, yes I do use it! But not often. I was just at Seward Co-op last night with my uncle and he uses it frequently! I also go to ginkgo coffee shop at least once a week and they are fair trade! And everyone once and a while I go to electric fetus. I feel like there are not many places that does this, but quite a few in the twin cities. But I think that is is awesome that fair trade is being tied into your learning experience while in Mexico!
ReplyDeleteI have read all the comments and suggestions posted by the visitors for this article are very fine,We will wait for your next article so only.Thanks! education in America
ReplyDelete