Sorry for the delay, we didn't have wifi for the majority of our last week in Mexico.

Something that has impacted me in a positive way would be the people. Everyone is so kind and friendly. Walking down the streets, five people will say hello to you or ask how you are in the first three minutes. That's amazing to me because no one really does that back home. Everyone is normally too busy to worry about anyone else. Being here has created a better understanding of a few things for me such as power, privilege, culture, and diversity. Privilege is real. It's a difficult concept because I don't understand why it still exists, but being a different race can create privilege. However, some of the people I met in Mexico went against every barrier they had and are now striving. They have a family, they have income, and they are happy. Culture is beautiful. It's about the stories rooting back to when time first began, meals that have been served in a house since it was built, and a common understanding of unity. Diversity is important. Diversity creates the best relationships because everyone has something to bring to  the table. The group I traveled with was very diverse. We all came from different backgrounds and ethnicities but we had the most amazing bond. Power is still hard for me to understand. Why do some have power and others don't? Money? Fear of them? A gun? I am not sure. One day I hope power will become positive and people won't abuse the role.

Hello friends! I wanted to make a post outside of my assignment. I want to address the biggest heart break I have felt while being in Mexico. The strays. I was warned by many that there would be stray dogs all over. While I felt sad every time I saw one, I was still able to contain my feelings and tears. That changed on May 16th when we went out to visit Segis and stopped in a town called Valle de Banderas before we got to him. There I met a dog who shattered my heart. I could tell she was a female and that she had just given birth to puppies who were no where to be seen. On top of this she could barely use her back legs and at certain times she was dragging them. I bonded with her and immediately broke into tears. It was really hard for me to leave her because all I wanted to do was take her with me, give her a bath, and get her well. She truly broke my heart. She will be my motivation for helping strays in my future. I will never forget her.

I have now been here for a week and the experience has been wonderful. I did not realize how much work we would actually be putting in and I am happy about it because it is teaching me so much. I had a decent idea of what we would be coming into but I did not realize the internship would teach me this much. As for the needs of the community, I don't like to use that word. "Needs" make it seem like people are desperate for something. Here, people are filled with joy and pride in what they do. The community is strong. At night, many people gather in the main plaza to socialize. Children play soccer and rollerblade. I envy them in this manner because in DeKalb we can't do that in fear of getting caught up with the wrong people. Clean water is an issue but that is an issue everywhere. There is purified water everywhere you go here, no one serves contaminated water. My expectations have changed about this internship but in the best way possible. I am happy here!

First day in Bucerias!!!!

Hello! I have finally arrived in Mexico (a day late) and I am so happy to be here. I am looking forward to submerging myself into the culture and learning about the people here as well as their life styles. I want to be able to understand more Spanish. I am super passionate about social entrepreneurship and I hope that while I am here I am able to point out opportunities for change. Something else I hope to get out of this internship is a professional business experience. I want to be able to apply the skills I have learned in the College of Business to the work I do here. I am looking forward to my first week working with Human Connections and starting on our project!