Cecelia Duchano '05

Notes on and from Mexico:

• My name is Cecelia Duchano. I am from Deerfield, a small town in southeastern New Hampshire. I attended Concord High School in Concord, New Hampshire, from which I graduated in the spring of 2001. I am currently a third year sociology major, art minor at UNE. During the fall semester, I will be one of four students studying abroad as part of the Applied Sociological Experience offered by the Sociology Department. I will be one of two students spending the semester in Cuernavaca, Mexico in a program entitled "Gender and Social Change in Mesoamerica."

My decision to study abroad, and more specifically to study in Mexico, was based upon many different factors, from political and educational, to personal. The recent political actions/doings of the United States have solidified in my mind something I have been aware of - cultural understanding and sensitivity is essential to live in the ever-increasingly globalized world. How better to gain new perspectives and insights than to learn through living in a different cultural setting? Politically, I hope to better understand the global situation and my place within it, and to take this knowledge and apply it further in education and in my life as a whole.

Educationally and personally, attending a semester in Mexico will allow me to explore other ideas, history, culture, politics, and experiences from a point of view that I have never been exposed to before. I have always been interested in traveling, different cultures, and different languages. Mexico provides me with the opportunity to be exposed to all three. On a career-directed note, my experience in Mexico will guide me in my interest of international relations to see if this is a direction I wish to pursue.

Overall, my experience studying in Mexico will allow me to explore new perspectives; expose me to new cultures, ways of life, and language; and allow me to develop new tools for applying in further educational situations.
   
• We just returned from a week-long break. We spent the week in Oaxaca State. We were in Oaxaca City for a couple days and spent the rest of the time at the beach. It was a great time. Don't worry; we have been doing lots and lots of work! We've had some stressful exams and papers. Rachelle and I both already finished the equivalent of one Spanish semester with a B+.

We just started a second Spanish class, in which we speak only Spanish. I understand a lot more than I am able to speak, but I am learning slowly! I think that the religion class is a lot better structured with better visits and classes.
   
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