Staff Interview with Marie Heim

What inspired you to work for Human Connections?

When I was studying abroad in Ecuador, I did an internship on an ecological reserve/organic farm in a town called Mashpi just outside of Quito. During my time there, I worked on a project researching the local sustainable tourism association. I interviewed members of the association, researched the broader impacts of the tourism industry, and studied how important community participation is in developing a tourism effort.

Once I returned to the U.S., I found out about Human Connections, and thought it would be a perfect opportunity to continue learning about tourism through another perspective in Latin America. I also just loved Human Connections' mission and wanted to move abroad for a while after college, so the opportunity fit.

Describe a typical day at work as the Global Fellow.

My favorite aspect of working at Human Connections is that every single day is different. For example, when out looking for potential partners, it might involve stopping in a loncheria and trying their quesadillas. Another day I could be working at a farmers market promoting our organization or going on a cultural day tour around Bucerías with other travelers. Some days might involve sitting in the office on the computer all day. For this reason, it’s so hard to describe a typical day, but everyday is exciting! 

How do you use your education and international background in your current role?

A lot of my college education focused on effects of globalization, international development, Latin American culture, and perspectives on global topics like the food system, tourism, foreign aid, climate change, capitalism, etc. It was very interdisciplinary, which I believe really helps in understanding the context of working internationally, or, specifically here in Mexico for me. I also had a Spanish Studies minor, which obviously has helped me greatly here in Mexico to communicate.

My international background has helped me a lot as well. I think living abroad is something everyone should do at least once, if accessible for them. Having experience with diverse perspectives, cultures, cuisines, and people helps a person be more empathetic and open to differences. It also challenges assumptions and stereotypes, which is something we highly value at Human Connections.

What are some current projects you are working on?

My main project right now is supporting Human Connections at local markets around the area where we will be promoting our tours and student programs. This involves communicating with volunteers, gathering materials for our stand, and just general logistical coordination. 

Another ongoing, long term project I have is to make our office a little more “green”- both figuratively and literally. I’ve been compiling a list of activities and practices, with the help of my fellow team members, that we can all practice in the office to be more sustainable and eco-friendly. We’re also hoping to start a roof garden soon!

I am also managing our social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram). I spend time creating content and scheduling posts to hopefully increase our following and reach. Other little projects include helping out with our website, designing educational posters for the office, and bookkeeping.

What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?

I would tell my pre-travel self that you should just stop trying to plan out your whole life! Sometimes, you just have to go with the flow and adapt to whatever comes your way. I always thought I would graduate high school, go to college, and get my full-time dream job immediately. It is okay to take your time, say yes to uncomfortable experiences, and explore every opportunity that comes your way. Also, the travel bug is a real thing.

What makes Human Connections special?

When people think of Mexico, a lot of them picture all-inclusive beach resort vacations. I like to think of Human Connections as a sort of buffer to this. Through our tours, Global Engagement Trips, and internships, Human Connections opens the door for a mutually beneficial exchange of stories and culture. We form really special relationships with our local artisan partners, and I believe this step is so important to creating a successful, responsible tourism effort. Human Connections really puts an emphasis on the educational aspect of travel that I think a lot of spring break trips could benefit from. 

What is Human Connections' mission and how do you continue to work towards it?

The mission of Human Connections is “To increase empathy across cultures and strengthen communities through responsible travel experiences”. We work toward this mission in a variety of ways. 

One way is through our day trips which include our Bucerías Cultural Tour and our Heartland Traditions Tour. Our tours allow travelers to visit local artisans’ and entrepreneurs’ homes and workshops, which opens up the opportunity for perspectives to be shared and for everyone involved to learn something about fellow participants, hopefully increasing empathy.

Our student programs, primarily involving college students, provide an experience that emphasizes the educational value of their travels during the program and stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Focusing on cultural immersion, hands-on projects, thinking critically, and connections with our local partners, I think our student programs really represent Human Connections’ mission at work. 

Our team also continues to work toward our mission in our everyday lives by trying to be open-minded, always learning from others, and traveling and living responsibly and sustainably. 

What do you hope participants take away from your programs?

I hope visitors and participants on our programs see a new side of Mexico after being involved with Human Connections and meeting our partners. In today’s political climate, we often see negative messages and stereotypes portrayed through the media about Mexico, especially in the U.S.

Another aspect I would hope they take away is to change the way that they travel. We really try to educate about and practice responsible tourism in all that we do, and if a traveler leaves with new ideas about traveling in a more responsible way - seeking to learn about local culture, being environmentally conscious, having an open-mind about different perspectives, etc. - I think we’ve succeeded.

Why do you think learning a new language is important?

For me, learning a new language is a super humbling experience. It can be really challenging and, in fact, frustrating sometimes. It will always be easier to speak in one’s native language, but there is so much more opportunity for growth in attempting to learn and speak a new language.

Learning a new language also opens up so many new doors in life. When traveling, speaking the local language really does make a difference in learning about the culture and meeting new people. I personally think immersion is the quickest, best way to improve language skills. There are also practical benefits, like jobs that search out bilingual applicants or pay employees more if they can speak multiple languages.

What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?

Do it! I know it’s cliche, but stepping outside of your comfort zone is a super important practice. Seeing the world from a different perspective is something we should all try, as it helps us recognize differences, and that these differences are okay, they’re natural. It’s almost never easy to go and live, work, or volunteer abroad, but it’s an incredibly rewarding experience and something one can look back on and be forever grateful for. 

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Meaningful travel to me means not only visiting a place to benefit yourself and your own life, but to also positively impact that place you are traveling to.

It means being conscious of decisions you make while traveling, that what you buy, where you eat, and where you stay has some sort of impact on the local people that live there.

Lastly, I think it means traveling to a place with an eagerness to learn about the social, political, economic, and environmental context into which you are stepping into and being conscious and respectful of that context.