Costa Rica has a strong democratic tradition and a long history of dispute resolution. Owing in part to their impressive 95% literacy rate and national education system, Journeyers examine Costa Rica’s educational system.
Journeyers also analyze how Costa Rica seeks to protect natural resources while maintaining an important job-providing tourist industry, and how issues of absentee land ownership affect local economies and communities.
A portion of this Journey will be devoted to tutoring at an elementary/secondary school and community-sponsored service.
Oaxaca, Mexico (May 2004)
Recognizing that Mexican indigenous culture is undergoing conflict with increasing ‘Americanization’ around the globe, the Oaxaca journey tries to learn and experience indigenous culture of rural central Mexico. The group visits ancient archeological sites, engages discussion with local religious leaders, visits local sacred sites, and participates in a variety of indigenous rituals including prayer and welcoming ceremonies as well as a ritual sweat in the lodge of local villagers. In the past, Journyeres have met with a family who was sending their son to the U.S. having been recruited for work by another Mexican man. Such interactions sparked conversation around questions of indigenous spirituality, issues of globalization, particularly immigration policies in the United States.
Shaila Ali (Oxford College sophomore) and women in Oaxaca cooking tortillas.
The journey focused on health and healing, volunteering in several health clinics under the direction of Andean Rural Healthcare, an organization that provides health care to rural areas of Bolivia.
