I am working with a group of women at Comedor Zarigüeyas and with a group of children at a Casa Digital run by Doña Gredes.
Every day is unique at each site. With the children, it is a little more structured, but I usually let them lead the days. Sometimes they have a lot of energy in the morning and need to go to the park or play first. Other days we do our activities and lessons after we eat. At Comedor Zarigüeyas every day is different but equally interesting and rewarding. Some days I toured the neighborhood with Doña Marina and others I used the computers to organize contacts or research community health concerns or organizations. The one thing that was certain with every day at Comedor Zarigüeyas is that I felt incredibly cared for and cherished every bit of wisdom passed onto me.
In the beginning, our main responsibility was to acknowledge community health concerns. After many conversations, we (my partner Frizzy and I) began working on addressing concerns such as obesity and nutrition, accessible and natural treatments and health care, and women’s health matters specifically, breast cancer and domestic violence. In the end we found that the knowledge about these health topics already existed in this community, and they had already created a space where the community could discuss such topics. For this reason, our true responsibility was to serve as a catalyst for knowledge exchange within the communities we served.
One of the most helpful things I learned is the value of community. The standout experiences were traveling both within the city and through the country with my fellow students. It was incredibly enriching to be among a group of such devoted and attentive students. I will always cherish the constant stream of keen observations and each conversation that I shared. I also want to thank our tour guides and teachers for feeding our curiosity and helping us create a space where no question went unasked. This part of my experience expanded my cultural conceptions and will continue to push me to try new experiences and make new connections.
My time here in Mérida and at my internship sites has been nothing short of life-changing. The perspective I have gained has enhanced my confidence and I am certain that I will carry myself differently and be a better person, friend, and citizen because of it. The women of Comedor Zarigüeyas have instilled a deep passion to better my community on both local and global scales. Additionally, I am forever thankful to all those who mentored and taught me along the way. It has been a great privilege to learn in this environment and from so many intelligent and insightful individuals. I greatly appreciate every drop of knowledge that was shared with me.
I would absolutely recommend this internship to students who are willing and ready to learn. This experience is extremely different than other study abroad programs which has made it incredibly rewarding in the end.
I would tell a student coming to Mérida for the first time to embrace any discomfort and stay for as long as you can.
I enjoy observing the specifics of culture here in Mérida. Studying abroad in Mérida meant learning about aspects of Mexican, Yucatecan and Maya culture and how beautifully they have blended and coexist in everyday life.