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Trip Destination: U.S. and Mexico border region between Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. Trip Dates: Approximately 7, 8 or 9 days toward the end of winter break 2009-10. Coordinating Organizations: Boston College Campus Ministry, in collaboration with BorderLinks, an organization that has hosted Boston College delegations for many years (www.borderlinks.org). NOTE: The Agua Prieta, Mexico program, including its trip, is separate and distinct from the Nogales, Mexico program, which is also coordinated by BorderLinks. |
Itinerary: Immigration and issues related to the border between the U.S. and Mexico have inspired heated debate throughout the U.S., Mexico and Central America, as so many people from Latin American countries have fled or attempted to flee from situations of extreme poverty, lack of opportunity, and war and oppression. BorderLinks designs this trip’s itinerary and coordinates each day’s activities, which include meetings with representatives from various organizations and individuals involved with immigration, human rights, and education, as well as with representatives – including border patrol – of the U.S. and Mexican governments.
While learning about macro-level social, economic and political issues from various perspectives, participants have the opportunity to learn first hand about the joys and struggles of people profoundly impacted by policies and situations they can’t control. Participants visit the people who live as “squatters” in colonia communities and who work in maquiladoras, many of which are U.S. manufacturing companies that locate just across the border to take advantage lower tax rates, cheaper labor, and less rigorous environmental standards. The experience includes overnight stays with families living in a squatter community near the border.
During the trip, participants must expect to live simply. They likely will eat food that is not always familiar or plentiful, sleep in beds or other places that are often less comfortable than they might be accustomed to, bathe rarely, and experience limited personal space.
Prayer, reflection, journaling, and sharing with each other are core aspects of this experience before, during, and after the trip. Each participant is expected to share about her/his faith, in all of its joys and struggles, and to explore how faith, and the gifts they have been given, connect to living in solidarity with the Poor.
Language Proficiency Required: Although being able to speak Spanish is useful while on the trip, applicants do not need to be able to speak any language other than English to participate.
Safety: Boston College Campus Ministry seriously considers the U.S. Department of State’s published statements regarding public safety in a potential host country. For travel-related information and recommendations published by the U.S. Department of State, please check the U.S. Department of State’s website: http://www.state.gov/travel/.
Health/Immunizations: Boston College Campus Ministry requests that participants seriously consider protecting themselves before traveling outside of the U.S. with the immunizations and other preventative measures recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). For more travel-related information and recommendations published by the CDC, please check the CDC’s website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/regionCentralAmerica.aspx.