Student Testimonials

Holly Rehfeld

Oaxaca, Mexico

To make the understatement of the year, my time spent doing an internship in the southern state of Oaxaca, Mexico was incredible, challenging, fulfilling, amazing, and life-changing. I chose to go to Mexico to put into action my majors of Cultural Anthropology and Liberal Arts for the Human Services, and to learn more about the country and people with whom we (the United States) are so intertwined and interdependent. I worked hard for several months before I left to save money for my experience, and the rest was covered by grants and loans from UMM.

Children of political prisoners selling baskets in Oaxaca

My year-long experience involved working with a local human rights organization called ACAT-Mexico. ACAT (Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture) is an organization that provides services to survivors of torture and their families. The support includes representing the case of torture within the Mexican legal system, and giving medical treatment and psychological counseling. Due to many factors such as a high indigenous population, government corruption, and internal land conflicts, the state of Oaxaca is a hot spot for grave human rights violations such as torture. My job consisted of working closely with the medical/psychological team in providing support to our 80 clients. Because many are still incarcerated, the work involved traveling to the 6 prisons within the state to visit our clients. Through this work I was able to form close-knit relationships and see and do things that have opened my eyes to a number of issues and undoubtedly changed my viewpoints and my life. Though it was tough and challenging sometimes, this work was the most fulfilling I have ever done. It is heartbreaking to see people suffering from these terrible injustices, but it is indescribably wonderful to see the healing process, and the homecomings.

Zapotec weavers

Through this internship I was also able to go on a Civil Observation Mission to the poorest region of Oaxaca to conduct interviews on the effects of the governmental collapse in the area. My job also sent me to the 2003 World Trade Organization Conference in Canc?n, M?xico, as a Human Rights Observer. When I wasn?t working I was traveling, taking in all the gorgeous sights of Mexico, or meeting new people and hanging out with friends. I would like to back up the general notion right here and now that the Mexican people are among the most friendly, generous and just plain fun in the whole world. Where else could you enjoy a full blown street parade with drums, fireworks, and big statues of the Virgin at one o?clock in the morning?!

Political demonstrations in Oaxaca

It is hard to put into words all of the amazing things I saw and did, but I know that the experiences I had will be with me forever, and have solidified my passion to continue working with and embracing cultural diversity. I gained fluency in another language, invaluable job skills, life-long friendships, and an insight to myself and my own culture I never would have gotten had I not done this. I would recommend this experience a thousand times over, and promise all kinds of satisfaction that come with it. VIVA Mexico, and VIVA Study Abroad experiences!!