Social Change in Central America

I was honored to participate in this program when it was "Social Change in Central America" in 2016. My experience in the program dramatically improved by Spanish, deepened my understanding of Central American history, and gave me concrete lenses and tools through which I still analyze social movements. While I was on the trip I learned about the Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA), which became my movement home. I now live in Guatemala. I would highly recommend this program for young organizers who want to deepen their internationalist practice.

My experience with the CGEE Central America program is one that I always cherish and appreciate, as it affirmed my desire to pursue social justice and gave me the tools to continue onto a career in human rights in Central America. I had been interested more broadly in the idea of “Human Rights in Central America” and “Social Justice” for several years prior to studying abroad with CGEE. As a student at Clark University, in Worcester, MA, I devoted my studies to focus on Central American politics and history, to complement my major in “International Development and Social Change”. I found this program so impactful because it transformed my understanding of “development” and “social change” by pulling me out of the classroom to learn from actual people and communities about their lived experiences and their visions of change for their own communities. After spending years in an institutionalized setting, I appreciated the focus on people first education. It allowed me to strengthen my formalized knowledge on history and politics in Central America but most importantly interact with human beings who lived through what I had read about. By living with host families, I was able to learn and engage in conversations not just in meetings, but every day. These relationships and conversations allowed me to see how US policy adversely affects people and communities and moved me to commit to working to change said policies in my professional career. This experience gave me a better understanding of my own privileges and how to better work for and with communities in the struggle for social justice. While uncomfortable at certain times, the program forced me to look at the role of my “whiteness” and be self critical of how I take up space and how systems of oppression perpetuate these dynamics in social justice spaces. I now try to carry these lessons with me in my work. I recommend this program to everyone and anyone interested in learning about transformative social change in Central America. I especially appreciated the one on one Spanish classes that allowed everyone in the group, all coming from many different Spanish levels, to learn at their own pace, feel challenged, and make significant strides in their language acquisition. Not to mention, the incredible dedication of staff to interpret meetings and make all aspects of the program as accessible as possible. Finally, I built strong bonds and relationships through this program. For example, two of my closest friends came out of this experience. Moreover, several of us from my semester moved on to work in Central American Solidarity and Migrant Justice Organizations, which allows us to coordinate campaigns and continue to work together. I’ve even met CGEE alumni while working in Honduras from other semesters that were also moved by their experiences to do protective human rights accompaniment and human rights advocacy in the region. When considering where to study abroad, I highly recommend the Social Change in Central America program.

Although I don't remember everything I learned sitting in the classroom while abroad, what I remember most are the kind people I interacted and communicated with, the beautiful places I traveled, and the many communities and cultures I learned from, both in Guatemala and Costa Rica. Through reviewing Guatemala's history and Mayan culture, living with host families in indigenous and self-sustained communities, hearing stories from Nicaraguan refugees, and learning about Costa Rica's green plans for the future, I got to see firsthand the ways people in Central America are creating social change. All of this, along with the cherished relationships I formed with program staff and peers, helped to form changes within myself that I didn't expect. I found myself more calm and patient than ever before in my life, and more curious and open to new experiences, places, and people. I am so thankful for this time I had to take a break from the fast pace of US life and dive into a world more intelligent, compassionate, and comforting than I ever would have imagined before this experience. I miss the Guatemalan mountains, runs under the Costa Rican sun, swimming in the Caribbean ocean, and most importantly my abroad "mom," Ruth, and my Costa chicas every day. I would recommend this study abroad opportunity to anyone with a love of Spanish (even if you don't speak it well), an openness to nature and community, and a longing to find a deeper part of yourself you never knew was there. If I had to describe my time in Central America in one word it would be this: wholesome.