Katie Jo plans to teach Spanish in the future, thus she chose to work at the secondary school, rather than do a research project.

At the school, she worked with students, devising lesson plans to help them in learning English.

Katie Jo, Chrissy, Bobbie and Kelsie working in the Tortillería

Katie Jo’s Testimony:

The four months that I spent in Mexico were some of the most rewarding experiences that I have ever had. In those four months I met some of the most amazing people and got the opportunity to live in an amazing culture. The family we stayed with was incredible. Rosaura, the woman we stayed with, had 20 children and six of them lived on one block and shared a backyard. The sense of community and the love and acceptance that I felt there made me feel like one of the family. In addition to the strong relationships that I made there I learned both career and life skills that I will take with me wherever I go. Although I am not an anthropology major, I did come away with a greater appreciation for other cultures and a new drive to learn more about the rest of the world. In addition to the anthropology study that we did as a class I also worked in the local middle school and elementary school. Being that I am an education major this was the most rewarding experience that I took home with me. The staff that I worked with was wonderful and I had a great time teaching English. The kids, of course, were the best part. The style of teaching and the atmosphere of the school were so different from our systems here. The classes have around forty students and the classrooms are empty except for the desks and a black board. It really made me appreciate how much we have to work with in our schools in the United States.

After reflecting back on my experience in Mexico I feel that I have developed a greater appreciation and acceptance of those from other cultures. So often we concentrate on all of the differences between us that we forget that we are all one human race. To be able to have the experience of being placed into a new setting and have a culture love and accept you like one of their own is an incredible life changing experience.