In spring break 2025, I joined the WWU Global Learning Program—International Business, Planning, and Environmental Sustainability—in Querétaro, Mexico. Querétaro is a vibrant city of approximately 1.2 million residents, located about 200 miles north of Mexico City.
The trip was led by Professor Gigi Berardi, an expert in agroecology, sustainable business, and food policy within the College of the Environment’s Urban and Environmental Planning & Policy department.
While such immersive travel and applied learning experiences are common among College of the Environment students, my participation was different: I am not a student or faculty member but have served as an undergraduate academic advisor for more than 25 years.
Despite being outside my usual role, I approached the journey with enthusiasm and an eagerness to learn. The experience had its challenges, especially for me, but it was equally rewarding.
After travel, I often ask students about their most memorable and most difficult moments. Their answers usually reveal a mixture of overwhelming highlights and considerable challenges. I found myself echoing those sentiments.
The highlight for me came early in the trip during a visit to the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site nestled in the mountains. There, we met Martha “Pati” Ruiz Corzo, the family matriarch and visionary behind the Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda, founded in 1987. One of her sons described their mission succinctly: “conservation not conversation.” Their work spans environmental education, recycling initiatives, organic fertilizer production through composting, and innovative carbon reserve agreements with private landowners—making forest preservation more economically viable than cattle grazing.
This visit alleviated much of my eco-anxiety. Witnessing the dedication and impact of Grupo Ecológico reinvigorated my faith in practical, collective environmental action.
However, the trip was not without its difficulties. The very first night, our van broke down two hours into the winding mountain journey to Sierra Gorda. I was struck by the resilience of the students and the calm leadership of Professor Berardi as the group turned this setback into a bonding moment.
On the second day, while walking through the forest, I slipped on the slippery ground cover, sustaining a smashed nose and scraped knee. True to her word, Professor Berardi stayed by my side, and I ended up the only member of the group needing medical care. Fortunately, treatment was free and efficient, allowing me to quickly return with antibiotics for a throat infection.
During my recovery at a homestay with a warm Mexican host named Marta, I communicated—albeit haltingly in Spanish—that the “homestay” was going to be quite literal for a few days.
Meanwhile, the rest of the group explored the San Sebastián Bernal monolith—one of the largest rock formations globally—and visited the picturesque city of San Miguel de Allende.
Before falling ill, I participated in an enriching itinerary organized by Professor Berardi and Olé, a local organization managing our cultural activities, field trips, and Spanish language classes. Highlights included:
Touring the Bloque Center for Creative Innovation and Technology, a sustainable energy project in Querétaro
Presentations by Querétaro’s Ecology and Economic Development Directors
Climbing a pyramid at the ancient Teotihuacan site
Exploring a working mine
Engaging in Spanish language and cultural instruction at Olé
Taking a walking tour of Querétaro’s historic old town, filled with statues and plazas
On our final day, we visited the bustling Querétaro mercado to purchase ingredients for a guacamole-making contest, part of the closing fiesta. Unfortunately, I likely contracted an illness from something I ate or drank there, which sidelined me for the remainder of the trip.
Despite the hurdles, this experience was invaluable. Immersing oneself fully in learning—even when the path is uneven—offers incomparable growth. I would not trade this journey for anything.
I extend my gratitude to Ashley Hollenbeck and the International Studies office for the Global Learning Program Development grant that covered my expenses for the homestay, excursions, and activities with Olé.
