Stereotypes:

Growing up in Southern California, stereotypes of Mexico and Mexicans are certainly not all favorable, in fact quite the opposite. Frankly, I’m surprised by the general negative attitude toward Mexicans in California when I return to visit. On the same coin, my best friend growing up was Mexican. One very common, degrading stereotype is that all Mexicans are poor, lazy and corrupt. The book addresses these stereotypes a bit. On top of the United States being much wealthier, Mexican culture promotes spending now rather than saving for later, which may be where Americans get the idea that Mexicans are all poor. As for lazy, this may be in part due to more lax rules regarding time and punctuality. I understand that stereotypes go both ways and that Mexicans do not look too fondly upon Americans either, that we are cold and American women loose. I look forward to the opportunity to help correct or dispel any incorrect thoughts about American culture.

Expectations:

Honestly, at this point in the trip I don’t much know what to expect. I have looked up the town a little online and it looks like a beautiful place to stay, and I hope to make some good friends with the people in the program. My expectations right now center on my Spanish speaking ability. I expect that speaking Spanish all day every day will force me to learn much more quickly than the 4 hours a week that I am confronted with here. I hope to become more fluid with my sentences and expect to be able more aptly pick up on what is being said to me in Spanish. Also, I would like to learn to more quickly and easily conjugate verbs into different tenses, as that is something that I have difficulty with now.

In Merida:

Hoy los estudiantes y yo fuimos a la fabrica de galetas se llama “Dondé.” Fue una experiencia muy interesante y muy agradable también. Primero, cuando llegamos a l fabrica, tuvimos que ponernos unas redecilas sobre nuestro pelo por razones sanitarios. Todos parecíamos muy comicos. Despues de que nos quitamos nuestras joyas, nosotros entramos a la fabrica. La primera cuarta que nosotros visitamos contenó muchas materias primas para hacer las galletas. Por ejemplo había tonelados de azucar y harina y sal tambien. La fabrica era muy grande y tenía mucas cuartas grandes. La proxima cuarta era la más grande y tenía gran maquinas para hacer las galletas. Aquí las maquinas mezcla las materias primas y entonces las ponen en un transportador muy largo. El transpetador las mueven las galletas rapidamente por un horno y entonces por un gran refrigerador. Despues de ellas se han cocinado, un equipo e mujers las ponen n cajas o una maquina las pone en bolsitas. Todas las galletas que hacen en un día se van a vender en una semana. La fabrica “Dondé” produce muchas tipas de galletas y otra comida tambien. En una cuarta la producen pasta tambien! En el fin del viaje nosotros recibimos bolsas grandes de muchas tipas de galletas. Fue mi primera vez en una fabrica, y yo pensaba que era muy interesante. Pero nunca yo podría trabajar en una fabrica porque el trabaja es muy monótono y los trabajadores no ganan mucho dinero tampoco. Me gusto mucho el viaje, especialmente las galletas gratis en el fin.

After Merida:

Expectations:

My trip to Mexico has taught me so much about culture in this country. I am confident that when I return the United States I can help to dispel some the poor stereotypes that many Americans have of Mexicans. I found the people here to be clean, healthy and friendly. The city is contemporary and modern, with the same amenities that we have in the United States.

Stereotypes:

I found that most of my expectations of Merida were met in my stay in here. I have made many new friends, both American and Mexican, who I would like to keep in contact with. I have learned very much about a new culture, and my Spanish has improved ten-fold. Whereas before, I was only able to recognize words, now, I am able to converse in two languages.