海角直播

Publish Date: Sept. 12, 2019

Mirsha Ocampo was browsing Instagram one day when he came across an ad calling for students of Mexican decent to spend the summer exploring their roots. Sponsored by Mexico鈥檚 Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Institute of Mexicans Abroad and in collaboration with the Mexican Consulate of Sacramento, the trip鈥檚 itinerary called for participating students to spend five weeks soaking up Mexico鈥檚 culture through volunteer work and interactions with its people.

But before the trip could happen, interested students like Ocampo had to meet a few requirements, including having roots 鈥� either through their parents or elders 鈥� in one of six states of Mexico such as Jalisco and Puebla.

鈥淭he more I looked into it, the more I wanted to apply,鈥� said the 20-year-old 海角直播 Hills College anthropology major. 鈥淭o be able to spend over a month diving deeper into my culture and see what (Mexico) has to offer, how could I not want to?鈥�

The trip began July 8, 2019, in Mexico City where students took part in a welcome celebration and program orientation. From there, students traveled to one of several states 鈥渢o engage in a variety of educational activities, cultural and environmental site visits, and placement in community-based volunteer projects,鈥� according to the program鈥檚 website.

Close to 175 students took part in the trip, including Ocampo鈥檚 group of 32, and were students from all over California. Ocampo stayed in the capital of Jalisco, Guadalajara, in a hotel with 鈥渁n incredible view of the Cathedral of Guadalajara, which was surrounded by four plazas, each one offering a traditional piece of what Jalisco had to offer,鈥� he said.

Each day offered up different cultural experiences, including volunteer opportunities scattered throughout the trip. Ocampo said a big highlight was connecting with people who shared a mutual love of the country.

鈥淕etting to go to all the different towns, getting to see all the art and beauty and culture that Jalisco has to offer, meeting all the wonderful people, it was all so beautiful and magical,鈥� explained the Calimesa, CA. resident. 鈥淣ever have I connected so deeply to a group, all tethered together by our love for Mexico. Those connections I have with them feel like they transcend lifetimes.鈥�

Although his relatives gave him some recommendations on places to explore and foods to eat prior to the trip, Ocampo said he didn鈥檛 have a set agenda when it came to the experiences he wanted to take back with him to the states. Instead, he wanted to go in with an open mind and an open heart and take in whatever it would offer up.

Now back home, Ocampo is ready to start his final semester at 海角直播 before moving on to continue his studies in anthropology. He also hopes he can share his experiences with others and help squash stereotypes some have about Mexico and its people 鈥� a hot topic in today鈥檚 political climate.

鈥淥ne of the biggest misconceptions is that Mexico is just tequila, mariachi, and tacos. What people don鈥檛 take into account is that, yeah, it is those things, but those things are such a crucial part of Mexico鈥檚 history along with so much more,鈥� he said. 鈥淛alisco is the birthplace of tequila and mariachi, and the culture behind it is held in such regard. So much art and skill go into cultivating the agave and transforming it into one of the most iconic drinks in not only Mexico but the world.鈥� The art, he continued, the country鈥檚 passion and beauty and are other things Ocampo hopes to share with others. And should he ever be fortunate enough to return to Mexico, there are a few things he鈥檇 like to explore further. But saying goodbye was the hardest part of the trip. So was readjusting to life back in the States.

鈥淚 want nothing more than to go back,鈥� Ocampo said. 鈥淚 hope that I am able to return as soon as I can, and I will definitely be applying to the program next summer.鈥�

To learn more about the program or to apply, go to http://ime.gob.mx/intercambio/.