by Nan Caldwell, Chair of
Foreign Language DepartmentLake Forest Country Day
School’s eighth grade Spanish class took a field
trip to Mexico City to practice their Spanish over spring
break. The trip to Mexico was a great success! We
set high standards that the students rose to achieve. The
students demonstrated good judgment and exceptional consideration of
each other, setting a tone that remained positive and conducive to
learning from beginning to end. Fine Arts teacher Kirsten Anderson and I
enjoyed watching the students experience and process all the history
and culture reflected in each of our planned sites. “Cool”
and “awesome” were common descriptors applied when we asked their
opinions. It was a pleasure to see them make every effort to
use their Spanish--especially in the market place. (They discovered
that their Spanish actually works!)
We
learned that not only does Mexico City have important history and
culture, but it also has so many good citizens. Indeed,
everywhere we went, we met kind, generous people who were eager to
highlight the best of their country for us. As a further tip
of the hat to parents, the group was complimented several times on
their good manners and behavior.
I asked
the children to write some reflections on their experiences. Here are a
few excerpts:
- Overall the Mexico
trip was a life changing experience and I wish I could go back!
- I
learned a lot about Mexico’s history. I learned about each
ruler and president of Mexico and why he or she was important or how
they used their power. I also noticed that singing and
dancing were really important to their culture.
- I
learned that I need to keep practicing my Spanish. I especially need to
work on thinking about what I say in my head before I say it so that it
makes perfect sense.
- For group
skills I learned that everyone is accountable for everyone. Keeping a
good relationship with your teachers and classmates can only
help you.
- I learned that I
seem to judge different countries unfairly, thinking that they’re not
as good as the U.S, but I discovered I’d love to live in Mexico because
they walk everywhere and they are more family oriented.
- Before
I went I thought that Mexico was a poor and dangerous
country. Now I see that Mexico is a country full of color and
culture. It is so different than America in good and
interesting ways.
- The current
president is Felipe Calderon and the Palacio Nacional serves as a place
where many executive officials work. I also saw the Diego
Rivera murals and learned that he was married to Frida Kahlo and that
they were communists. Diego’s strong political views were
often portrayed in his art and therefore many didn’t like
him. This is why he often didn’t sign his art or signed it
extremely small.
- Before this
trip I thought Mexico was a dirty, poor place. But this trip
has drastically changed my opinion. Now I know that Mexico is
a place full of interesting history and an amazing culture. Mexico is a
vibrant country with strong traditions and people who love their home.
- I
learned that I am a more open minded person than I thought I
was. I was very open to trying new food. I also
learned that I respect Mexican people more as well. On the first day I
put my money in my shoe. Then I realized
that it’s like any big city--you just have to be careful.
- Mexico
was a trip that I will never forget. I was so excited to go
and it was even better than I had expected. The stories you
told in class (like the Virgin of Guadalupe) gave me a background and
helped me understand the places we went.
- I
think the Mexicans value their culture and their roots more than we do
in the U.S.
- I learned that
when you travel in a group it is important to respect the people around
you and be quieter than usual. I learned to always look out
for my group.
- The people in
Mexico were so friendly I learned to smile more and to be so much more
polite.
- It seems the Mexicans
are very close to their families and they show a lot more respect to
their elders.
- The bright
colors and dances show the liveliness of Mexico’s culture.
- Thank
you so much for taking us to Mexico. It was one of the best trips I
have ever been on in my life and I will remember it forever!
Click here to see more pictures from the trip to Mexico City
