i n t E R N at I O N a l s t u d y t o u r t o M e x i c o
By Shuana Niessen
EFDN 498 students who took part in an International Study Tour to Mexico , and instructor Martin Lopez .( L-R ) Front Row : Martin Lopez , Natasha Knobel , Kyla Matechuk , Francisco Ramirez ( the president of UNIva ), Robin Cooper , Stephanie Carteri , Megan Good ; Back Row : Tyrone Lavallee , Brooklyn Orban , Carly Weisbeck , Eilysh Fitzpatrick , Mike Zylak , Mackenzie Raedeke
From May 8 - 28 , a group of students took part in a 3-week study tour to Mexico ( EFDN 498 ) under the direction of Martin Lopez , Academic Program Development Consultant , Office of Resource Planning and a sessional in the Faculty of Education . This 3-credit course was held in Guadalajara , Mexico at the University of the Valley of Atemajac ( Univa ). Through this course , students explored the history of education in Mexico , and compared and contrasted features of Mexican and Canadian education systems and practices , while experiencing Mexican culture and historic sites .
Students spent the mornings teaching in either a private high school , located inside the Univa campus secured gates , or in the public middle school located across the street . “ This gave them opportunity to observe and work with students from two settings ,” says Lopez . For 3 rd -year students Natasha Knobel and Mike Zylak , the time spent in classrooms was the highlight of the tour . “ We were all beaming about how great a time we had with kids ... Everyone was talking about what they did and what they talked about with the students ,” says Zylak . Knobel adds , “ We were so trusted ! When I was speaking , they were listening to every word , every syllable ... It was such a privilege for them to hear English spoken . They kept asking , ‘ How do I say this ?’” Zylak and Knobel were impressed by how highly regarded teachers were by the students , who were affectionate , engaged , and enthusiastic . Zylak notes , “ Even though we were with the students such a short time , they were in tears when we left . They presented us with gifts and a formal dance .” Knobel adds , “ This was more so in the middle school than the high school . They felt so honoured and special that we came .”
In the afternoons , the students attended class at Univa . They covered three modules with three different instructors from Univa : the history of education in Mexico , contemporary Mexican education , and the history of Mexico . Fourthyear student Brooklyn Orban says , “ It was amazing to be able to compare our educational system to that of Guadalajara , and to see the vast differences in school structure and classroom instruction . It was important to realize , however , that the essence of education was very similar to that here in Canada .” Knobel says , “ We had the opportunity to talk about our Aboriginal history . History happened here , too . I found out the same thing happened to Aboriginal peoples in Mexico .” Zylak was impressed that the Mexican professors “ asked us what ideas we had to make Mexican education better .”
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