Laura Bieber

In this Study Tour we traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico where we stayed with host families to study the history of education in Mexico while attending their University (UNIVA), We participated in several cultural activities and traveled to other surrounding areas where we participated in many self and guided tours. We also had the opportunity to teach English as an Additional Language (EAL) to Mexican students in both private and public schools.  

We saw many of the local must see attractions in Guadalajara. As well, we visited the cities of Leon, Guanajuato, Dolores Hidalgo and San Miguel de Allende. These trip allowed us to tour many of the sites and view rich colonial architecture and learn about Mexico's history. We also did day tours to Talquapaque, Lake Chapala, Tequila, and the Pyramids to enhance our learning and enrich the experience. 

During the course of the three week Study Tour we completed eighteen hours of field work. We spent nine hours in a private high school and nine hours in a public middle school. The two school experiences were very different but both allowed us to gain extensive hands-on learning about the Mexican education system. We saw first hand the similarities and differences to the Canadian education system as well as put into practice what we had learned to date at University. This experience will definitely enhance and influence my entire teaching career.  

The three weeks were very full with scheduled activities however, we had a few afternoons a week of free time, some evenings as well as an entire Saturday. During our free time we went to the pool, shopping, checked out local shops and malls, hung out with our host family and other locals that we had met. We attended a local music festival on our free Saturday.