Heather L. Kirchdorfer '04

Notes from Central America:

• El Salvador
Peggy O'Neil has us quite busy, but she is an incredible instructor, and it is an incredible class. We have class in the morning for about three hours at the El Salvador National University. Then, in the afternoon, we go on field trips or attend a lecture. Yesterday we went on a socioeconomic tour, which included a trip to the mall (not for shopping but for comparison) then we went to a shantytown along the tracks, and visited a Christian-based community. The focus of this segment is liberation theology.

Yesterday, we also visited Arch-Bishop Romero's grave. I love everything I am learning - much of the information is difficult to take - what a harsh history, and reality. But most of the people I have met have so much hope for the future. This weekend, I will be staying with a family that was involved with the war (which is pretty much every family here).

Today, we had class then we met for a lecture with the theology chair at the University of Central America. Next week we meet with the archbishop - which seems pretty incredible to me. So, we are quite busy. I have to do a project that requires that I interview people in the community - hopefully my Spanish skills will magically improve. But, all in all I am having a great time, and am learning so much.

The best part is that everyone (students, teachers, coordinators) is concerned with learning as much as possible. It is nice to sit in class with people who are just as motivated as I am. I don't know how I got in with this bunch, but there are some incredible students on this trip, which only makes me work harder. Everyone is motivated and smart.

Tell UNE that I am representing them well, and that this is an incredible program for anyone who wants to go abroad to learn. The professors are great, but it is the group that makes things so intense - everyone is here for one reason: to learn as much as we can while we are here. We sit up late talking about deep issues surrounding neo-liberalism, globalization, and religion's impact on the developing world. My brain has never been so full.

Next week, I prepare for my final project for my Religion and Social Change class. This is the only class I am taking in El Sal. It is an intense focus on liberation theology and its effects on the people here, and on the war. That is why I spent time in Neuve Esperanza. It is a Christian-based community, so I was researching how the community is pulled together by Christianity and what the community is doing to strengthen itself through social programs and co-ops. We have also attended many discussions on feminist theology. Of course, we have been studying the history and overall culture of El Slavador the whole time. Next week, I interview people about immigration and emigration. 20 percent of the population lives outside of the country so this is a big issue. I am thinking that I would like to do some sort of senior project on immigration when I get back incorporating literature written by immigrants, my experience here, and my experience with migrant workers back home.
   
• I am doing well here. I have gone out to a small rural village for the last two weekends to stay with a family there. This village was created by refugees who fled to Nicaragua during the war. It is an incredibly sad story - most of the people in the village were subject to torture by the army, and many people lost several relatives.

The community is now doing well. I really like El Salvador, probably because it is so much warmer here than in Guatemala, and also because there is a Pizza Hut near our house. Everyone in our group is doing well, and I am really making some great friends. We are all getting a week off from studying and research in two weeks. I am going to Roatan-- it is a little island in the Carribean.

   
• Hello! I am leaving El Salvador on Saturday. I cannot believe that my time here is almost up - I really have enjoyed my time here. El Salvador, although not as stunningly beautiful as Guatemala, has its beauty in its people - who never cease to amaze me. Many families I have met and stayed with lost so much in the war, yet everyone has such a strong sense of hope. I have never known such strong communities.

The people know what is important and it is rarely materialistic. Everyone is so welcoming to the goofy looking gringa who doesn't speak Spanish. I will really miss the people I have met. After I return from Roatan, I head to Nicaragua. I will be staying with a family for four weeks and with the other students in a guesthouse for two more weeks after that. It is hard to believe that I only have 7 weeks left until I return to snowy, blustery New England... yuck. I much prefer the warm tropical climate of Central America. I will write again when I have arrived in Nicaragua.

 

   
• Nicaragua
If you are interested in studying economic inequality in the Americas - this is the place to do it. I am currently in Nicaragua, which was just recently awarded the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere award. Nicaraguans were very excited - they finally passed Haiti. Pardon my dry humor - I move in with a family on Thursday so I get to experience this level of poverty first hand (with the comfortable knowledge that I get to leave in December to go back to the wealthiest country in the world)

I have also stayed with families in Guatemala, and El Salvador. This program does an excellent job of exposing students to different situations - we live with families in the campo and in the cities. In class, you will study Spanish, Mayan spirituality, liberation theology, history and economics. It is exceedingly useful living what you are learning. You will attend a Mayan ceremony, live in a Christian-based community with people who worked with grass-roots organizations during the wars, and meet with scholars and community leaders. You will stay at a coffee co-op and learn how it works, and how the people organized. You will meet with ex-guerillas. You will hear personal accounts from people who survived run-ins with death squads. You will hear about what life was like before the wars, and see the reconstruction process.

The instructors are committed to what they teach and are eager and happy to talk with you after class. I have kept my teachers after class many times. If you are interested in taking this trip, I would recommend taking a microeconomics course. Also, learn more Spanish than I did - I have been fine, and have learned a lot, but you have so many opportunities to talk one on one with so many amazing people - I wish I spoke more.

If you are into going drinking every night, or want to go abroad to party choose another program; if you are into creature comforts, stay home. Your comfort level will be pushed. You will sleep in dirt floor one-room homes with chickens, and you will be eating rice, beans, tortillas, and a horrible food called plantains (which the locals love) everyday. But, you will have the time of your life and learn so much. It is incredible to take these classes away from the U.S.

If you are interested in social justice and the policies that hinder and help social justice, this is the program to come on. I would recommend it eagerly to anyone who is really committed to learning. I am so glad to have come and am sad I only have five more weeks here.
   
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