From left, top: Andrea Nuno, Cristina Garcia and Alejandro Leon. Bottom row: James Paredes, Reina Rivera Siordia and Esmeralda Sanchez
School launches inaugural summer abroad program
Six School of Social Ecology students will spend three weeks this summer in Guanajuato, Mexico as part of a new field study abroad program in which they will help facilitate the “Presidente Por Un Día” program run by the nonprofit organization Vamos Mexico.
Vamos Mexico is housed at Centro Fox, the former home of former Mexican President Vicente Fox. The “Presidente Por Un Día” programming supports school-aged youth across Mexico by teaching socially conscious leadership skills and empowering them to make a positive impact on their own lives and communities.
In addition, “our students will collect program feedback from youth participants and create materials and resources to further the program's reach,” says Dmitry Tsukerman, director of the field study program.
Since the School was founded, it has required all its undergraduate students to complete community service in one of more than 200 agencies and organizations. The experience extends education beyond the classroom in ways that can be life-changing for students and result in significant contributions to the community.
The students taking part in the field study abroad program and their majors are:
- Cristina Marie Garcia, criminology, law & society and urban studies
- Alejandro Leon, social ecology
- Andrea Nuno, environmental science and policy
- James Paredes, criminology, law & society and social ecology
- Esmeralda Sanchez, psychological science
- Reina Rivera Siordia, environmental science and policy
“We have an exceptionally talented, passionate, and driven group of students who are certain to be strong ambassadors for our school and program and who will make a positive impact on the staff, students, and organization at Centro Fox,” Tsukerman notes. “These students are exceptional delegates for the School of Social Ecology and the field study program, bringing their passion for improving social and environmental conditions, to educate and inspire hundreds of Mexican schoolchildren.”
The students were asked what they are looking forward to most about their field study. Their responses:
Garcia: “What I am most looking forward to is meeting new people and gaining experience. I am most excited to interact with everyone and learn more about the cultural environment and educational structure.
Leon: “I'm looking forward to being a part of a nice group of people with similar values as me that are willing to help (as well as the trips!!)”
Nuno: “I am looking forward to observing how education and leadership presents itself in different ways in Mexico, as well as how it is similar to here in the United States. I am also looking forward to seeing how we as students can assist in enhancing the President for a Day program, and what we can learn from it, too.”
Paredes: “To help develop this pilot program/partnership between UC Irvine and Centro Fox. Moreover, I want to support the efforts of this program in helping the youth learn about the importance of activism and participation in social affairs.”
Sanchez: “I am looking forward to learning and interacting with the students and staff from Guanajuato along with my fellow travelers from UCI.”
Siordia: “I am mostly excited to get to know the little kids and assist their needs.”
The study abroad program is fully supported by a $35,000 grant from the University of California Alianza, MX, and a $10,000 contribution from UCI's Center for Educational Partnerships.