Traveling to Mexico to study has been an amazing experience.  We have been here for a little over a week and I have already been engaged in so many eye-opening activities.  I never imagined a place could be so beautiful and inspiring to me.  Huehuecoyotl is an ecovillage with so much history that is both inspirational and moving.  It has helped me focus on the possible paths that my own life may take in the future and the many goals I hope to accomplish.  Artistically this community is absolutely unbelievable.  I wish the photographs I’ve taken so far could do it justice.  However, it is impossible to put into words the beauty in the details of these magnificent homes and structures.  Huehue has motivated me to be a more creative and independent thinker.  We have been invited to express our creativity by painting and participating in a drum circle.  I have learned so much from the community members and they have all been so warm, welcoming, and generous in sharing their wisdom.  

Being submerged in the Mexican culture has added so much to this experience and challenged me in several ways.  I am limited in my ability to speak Spanish and at times it has been difficult to communicate with local people.  At the same time I have enjoyed picking up the language in an atmosphere that makes speaking the native language necessary.

The class we are taking has taught me many components of being a successful and effective leader.  Since we are a small group of only 5 we are getting to know each other very well and it has been a lot of fun!  We are learning a lot about how to facilitate meetings and today was my first attempt at facilitating a meeting for our service learning project.  It is really exciting and I look forward to defining a useful project to benefit us as well as the community.  I’ve learned so much about communication and this is certainly an opportunity for me to grow as a person.  I have enjoyed taking in all of the natural sights and sounds including the exotic plants, delicious foods, insects, landscape, birds and music that are being introduced to me.  The environment here is not only beautiful and different than anywhere I have ever been but it also impacts the ecological values and attitudes people hold.  Learning about water conservation has been particularly important.  My awareness of recycling, composting, and reducing waste in general has been influenced by my surroundings and I will take many of these habits and ideas home with me to share with my community in Massachusetts.