By Nada Sewidan

Through CSUSM’s American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI), Proyecta students hope to

effect change through education, learning and immersion.

On the Program:

The Proyecta program aims to send 100,000 Hispanic students to study language and culture in

the United States. The program also sends students from the United States to Mexico to study.

The program emerged from the initiative passed by President Barack Obama titled 100,000

Strong in the Americas.

The Proyecta students are part of a 4-week Language and Culture program hosted by CSU

San Marcos’ American Language and Culture Institute. The program’s goal is geared towards

bettering higher education through culture and language immersion for students and the countries

involved.

On Political unrest:

Proyecta students discussed prevalent issues regarding strife between the government and its

people and encouraged conversation on the people of the world, more specifically, conversations

on issues that exist in places of the world such as Brazil and Mexico City where unrest is a

prevailing concern.

Mexico City students part of the Proyecta Program include Juan Manuel Gonzalez, Mariana De

Lucio and Eduardo Hernandez. These students spoke of the outbreak of protests against Mexico

City’s government as a result of political corruption.

The unrest arose when a group of over 40 college students went missing, suspected to have been

murdered by those in political power.

“What’s happening right now is one of the saddest episodes that I’ve ever seen,” Gonzalez said.

“It’s our people who are struggling in Mexico.”

“I think this situation surpasses any politics,” Hernandez said. “Just looking at the picture, and

the news, I can’t believe that humankind is making these things happen to our country.”

“I didn’t really know how much I loved my country until I had to defend my country,” he said.

“Mexican people let the government charm them. We don’t do anything to change it,” Gonzalez

said. “The citizens are also at fault, not just the government but ourselves too.”

“Beautiful country, beautiful food, how do I explain that we have a beautiful country, have

beautiful food, but also explain what’s happening,” Lucio said.

How the program influenced Proyecta students:

The students participating in the program gain skills that will ultimately help them in their

future ventures. These skills range from learning language through technical instruction in

class workshops and learning about culture outside of the classroom. Within the classroom,

the program allows its students to practice their English skills through workshops in speech,

grammar, presentation, academic writing and MLA format.

“What we learn [in the program] is very helpful when applying to another university, for my

Ph.D. or master’s,” Gonzalez said.

“Because I have learned English here, I can have the option of working with an international

firm,” Hernandez said.

The program is more than language development, it is also about world experience and learning

how different cultures live. Ultimately, the program emphasizes how learning is not only limited

to the classroom but exists outside of it as well.

“Being here is a learning experience because we learn a lot about culture,” Lucio said. “We are

not only here to study, but we are also here to get to know the culture.”

“Knowing another language will open you up to another world,” Hernandez said. “Knowing

another language is knowing people.”

Experience in a different culture:

The experience in the United States for these students thus far has been both positive and

challenging.

“American people have been kind, we got to learn about the family and customs, but most

importantly, we learned to adapt to those customs during our stay here,” Lucio said.

“For me, with my first experience outside my country, everything was new and different,” she

said. “I tried to enjoy everything down to details.”

“We were at Santa Monica Beach and that moment the sun set, I thought, how beautiful, I’m

actually here,” Gonzalez said.

However, there were also some challenges faced, challenges most individuals often come to

encounter in foreign countries.

The students spoke of the struggles of living in Mexico City and how children in Mexico didn’t

get a chance to learn English as they did.

“We are proud of ourselves, not all Mexicans have this opportunity,” Gonzalez said. “We are

making the most out of those opportunities.”

How the program influences change:

Students not only learn about a new culture but also learn to adapt in an unfamiliar environment.

These students learn about life outside their own world and take those experiences back home in

order to implement change.

“We are here studying in hopes of making changes,” Lucio said. “It’s then when I can make a

difference to my society and country.”

“As young people we have to keep our values and share those values with our future families,”

Gonzales said. “And as students we have a responsibility of learning and sharing.”

“What’s happening around the world, not just in Mexico City, must change, we change the

problem in our country, then change it around the world,” Hernandez said. “It’s a small world

after all and it’s our world.”