By Renae Madison, BSE English major

My three-week trip to Mexico with Missouri Western’s Study Abroad Program was probably the most memorable experience in my life.

In three weeks this summer I was able to experience a culture rich in traditions much different from those I would find at home, and I was warmly invited into a family and was accepted as a family member.

I knew of the most important sites (among students) to visit in Cuernavaca — Flash Taco, Harry’s Bar and Grill, Barbazul and Carlos and Charlie’s. However, through the pre-Mexico preparation class, I was also well informed about many of the cultural expectations and historical sites in Cuernavaca and Mexico.

Brett Miller, another participant on the trip, concluded that "knowing a little bit about the history of Mexico was a big help because Mexicans treasure their past, and it is apparent still in modern day Mexico."

I witnessed a diverse culture that has existed for centuries and that produced an abundance of beautiful architectural sites, artifacts and art.The food, the shopping, and the warm days and exciting nights make Cuernavaca a traveler’s paradise, and Mexico City and Taxco are "typical Mexico."

At the Z&ogravecolo in Cuernavaca: seated is Cindi Watts; left to right are Beth Virtue, Molly Watts, and Angela Pasley.

Cindi Watts also enjoyed her participation in the program, especially the excursions. "When we first arrived in Mexico City, we traveled to the Mexican Pyramids, which were like nothing I had ever seen before. I had so much fun climbing the Pyramid of the Sun. I feel honored to have seen this historic site. I also loved visiting Mexico City, . . . seeing the Dolores Olmedo Museum . . . and visiting Frida Khalo’s home. Studying and traveling in Mexico has been a dream come true for me."

The Spanish Language Institute and the wonderful teachers there wereincredibly important to my experience. I learned many useful idioms and fine-tuned my Spanish grammar and conversation skills in small classes that were very conducive to learning.

"School was awesome. My grammar teacher, Goyo, was really interesting and made learning grammar aspects of Spanish fun. Maru, Carolina and Maricarmen were all also wonderful teachers who helped a lot," said Miller of his school work in Mexico.

Mariachi player and his helper at the fiesta at the Spanish Language Institute.

"I have had four good semesters of Spanish in the classroom, but in three weeks in Mexico–in the school, with the family, and through general interaction with the people–I became really fluent in Spanish," he said.

The most memorable part of my experience was the Estrella del Portillo family. The first night we were there, this wonderful group of people made it clear that their house was to be my home for the next three weeks. My and extremely helpful in ensuring that my Mexico experience was safe and comfortable. The day I left Cuernavaca, my mamá said in the best English she could, "You will always have a home and a mother in Cuernavaca, and you will always be in my heart."

Cindi Watts has the same kind of feeling about her Mexican family. "Cristi Ramos and her family opened their hearts to five girls they did not even know and gave us their home and life for three weeks," she said.

Living with a Mexican family taught Molly Watts that "not having electricity one morning does not mean you have to have a bad hair day. It taught me that watching soap operas is not only addictive in the United States but in Mexico also. But most of all, it taught me to appreciate the things that come so easy to us in the States — everyday, simple things that I often take for granted."

David Johns said about his mamá: "Maricarmen was great. She treated us like we really were her family. She treated us like she had known us all of our lives, and it was incredible."

Reyhan Wilkinson, who lived with the same family as Johns, agreed, "The family I stayed with was like the icing on top of the cake."

Dan Riggs, 1999 BA English/Public Relations graduate, joins the mariachi band at the school fiesta.

Overall, this experience left a lasting impression in my heart. I will always strive to better my Spanish skills through conversation and written practice wherever I can. I will always remember seeing sites that have been on this earth longer than one can imagine. I will always have my Mexican family in my thoughts, and I will always cherish the fond memories of the friendships I made in the shortest and the longest three weeks of my life.

Thirty-nine students accompanied Directors Robert Shell and Patricia Cathey on the college’s Interim Program in Mexico, May 16-June 6.

Students received eight hours of college credit: two credits for the preparatory class which met weekly from February 2 - May 4, and six credits for their experience in Cuernavaca which included living with Spanish-speaking families and attending classes six hours each week day at the Spanish Language Institute.

Participants included Gail Atkins, Mike Bagby, Angela Berra, Julie Biggerstaff, Jeanette Browning, Samantha Buffy, Erin Clark, Zac Coughlin, Jason Eslinger, James Feuerbacher, Leigh Ann Feuerbacher, Shelly Gibson, Erin Gray, Jeana Grove, Casey Hallman, Brad Harrah, Brandon Jennings, Edie Hockman, David Johns, Megan Jones, Kelly Kauszler, Renae Madison, Jannel McMillian, Brett Miller, Mandy Milligan, Matt Nold, Angela Pasley, Angie Powell, Daniel Riggs, Brooke Rogers, Angie Schneider, Janette Summy, Ty Thompson, Beth Virtue, Cindi Watts, Molly Watts, Charles Wheeler, Kathy Wilga, and Reyhan Wilkinson.