"I participated in the 2008 tri-lateral exchange to Mexico City. It was completely rewarding. Not only did I gain hands-on experience in the non-profit sector, but I was able to get an insight into future career paths giving me a huge head start. Understanding civil society in Canada, the United States, and Mexico in an international setting has been a fundamental component to completing my education. Living in Mexico and taking the time to work on my second language has also been a big benefit and an incredible opportunity." Julia, Carleton University
"The best aspect of this program is the opportunity to connect with a variety of civil society organizations in Mexico. You experience first-hand how different organizations seek to fulfill their mission; whether that involves selling goat cheese to fund a house for children or professionalizing to attract a stronger donor base. Seeing the commitment, dedication and ingenuity of people in the third sector in Mexico is truly impressive." Aruna, Carleton University
"I participated in the Trilateral exchange in the winter of 2008 at Tec de Monterrey in Mexico City. I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but I can say now that I am so glad I had the opportunity to participate in this program. Lectures and readings helped me to gain an appreciation for the context in which Mexican civil society operates, but by far the most valuable portion of the program was the visits to various NGOs in the community. Through conversation with the people participating directly in civil society I developed an appreciation for the opportunities and challenges facing non-profit organizations in Mexico. I will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained through this program as I undertake an internship at a Mexican NGO next summer." Chelsea, McGill University
"The exchange program was an incredible experience. I visited twelve local nongovernmental organizations operating in Mexico City where I learned about the challenges faced by Mexican civil society. I participated in some original case study research and learned how to compare the different civil society sectors in North America. I also met some wonderful people from Canada, Mexico, the United States, and around the world, which enriched and completed my experience abroad. I would definitely recommend the program to anyone interested in strengthening their knowledge about the nonprofit sector and being able to identify some critical issues facing Mexican civil society. The program also allows one to explore the cultural richness that Mexico City has to offer." Luis, Carleton University
"I recently participated in the academic exchange program: “Developing Civil Society Education via Case Studies: A North American Perspective” (DCSCS), hosted by the Center for Voluntary Sector Research and Development (CVSRD). The program consisted of two classes, which provided an overview of the third sector in the North America, with an emphasis on Mexico, as well as a case study of a Mexican civil society organization. The academic component of the program provided insight into the key opportunities and challenges facing civil society organization in Mexico and gave an overview of the similarities and differences in the civil society in Mexico, Canada and the United States. Based on my experience, the most exciting component of the program was meeting various local civil society organizations and working in-depth with one organization to compile a case study. For the case study, we worked on an international team (a student from Mexico, Canada and the United States) to research and write a case study on a key challenge facing a local civil society organization. My group researched an organization that works with an extremely impoverished indigenous community in the North of Mexico. This case study was particularly interesting because it highlighted the challenges of working to address extremely poverty, while respecting and preserving indigenous culture." Emma, Carleton University
"I was chosen to participate in the exchange program last January 2008 this year at Carleton University. The exchange proved to be a turning point in my academic, professional and personal life. In the academic scope, the semester the academic side the semester strongly contributed with the research I am currently working on as my master degree thesis, a case study of a community foundation in Mexico. The case study conducted at Carleton throughout the program worked as a very good comparison of the models of civil society in the Canada and Mexico. The amount of things I learned from this makes a long list.
During the semester, I also had the opportunity of handing in a paper that involved some of the main issues in my thesis research. The comments and observations of my fellow students who proofread my paper and those made by the professor became important improvements for my thesis.
Spending a semester in a different country having the opportunity to meet new people learning the differences in the everyday life, and having the opportunity to make friends is an incomparable experience that has strengthened my personal life. As for my professional life it’s enough to say that I’m currently starting a small NGO with a group of friends." Icker, El Colegio Mexiquense
"I participated in an exchange at the Tec de Monterrey in Mexico City, Mexico, about Mexican Civil Society. The experience was enlightening, rich and very informative; I say these things because of the research I performed, the people I met, and all the things I learned in life and academically. My background is Latino, so I thought I would have a good grip on the culture but I was surprised to find out I did not. Mexico became a completely new place for me, even though I spoke Spanish perfectly and looked just like everyone there. This also translated to my research on Civil Society, because all my previous knowledge on Civil Society had to be reexamined to incorporate all the new things I was learning. I must say my experience in this program is un-replaceable, and without it I would not be able to further my research back at my own university." Andrea, McGill University
"This exchange program was a great combination of in-class theory and first-hand experience regarding civil society. The various on-site civil society organization visits gave us an idea of the different approaches taken by Mexican organizations to be sustainable, as well as the challenges faced in the Mexican context. This program allowed me to see in action many of the concepts I have studied. As a master’s student in International Affairs with a specialization in Trade Policy, this experience also gave me a more balanced course of studies as I gained knowledge about the third sector. The opportunity to do a case study helped me develop valuable interview, research and analytical skills.
In addition to the academic enrichment, the cultural experience was also amazing. I was able to develop my Spanish skills and interact with Mexican and international peers. This experience helps students become more adaptable and comfortable in another culture—characteristics that are extremely valuable. As a result of this program I have developed transferable skills that will help me professionally and academically, have expanded my network and have gained a stronger appreciation of the nature of civil society in North America." Luis
“One of the most important elements of the exchange was that it allowed me to compare and contrast the challenges faced by civil society organizations in Mexico, Canada and the US. Being an International Affairs student, the trans-national connections between various civil society actors was of particular interest. I was able to see first hand the potential for greater connectivity between organizations and institutions at all levels in the three countries.” Fran R.
“I participated in the Trilateral Student Exchange in the summer of 2005 at the University of Texas at Austin. The Trilateral Exchange was an incredible experience in so many ways! I had always been curious about civil society and the function it served. Thanks to the exchange I was able to gain the knowledge I sought and more! Not only did I acquire an appreciation for the function of civil society plans in improving the wellbeing, but I was also exposed to the varying prominence and opinions of the third sector in Mexico, Canada and the United States. In addition to the incredible academic experience, I was able to visit various NGO's in the surrounding area to gain an appreciation for the incredible work such organization undertake and I even had the opportunity to help out on several occasions. One such occasion was a day that was spent at a food bank where I had helped to prepare and serve lunch to less fortunate individuals. Furthermore, I met incredible individuals and made strong bonds with many individuals, which I will take with me for the rest of my life. After participating in the Trilateral Exchange program I felt compelled to gain hands-on experience in the third sector and went to Ecuador to work on a reforestation project. This was a great experience and because of my participation in the exchange program in Austin, Texas, I was better able to see how the efforts of the NGO with which I worked contribute to the overall wellbeing of the surrounding community. The exchange program was a truly rewarding experience!” Shawn M.
“This experience was highly determinant in my academic career…Right now I am a third year PhD student in Marketing in Spain and the focus of my research is still on the non-profit sector.” Nelida M.
“About the program, just one word: AWSOME!” Patricia A.
“In the winter of 2004 I was selected to participate in the Trilateral Student Exchange Program. I chose el Colegio Mexiquense in Toluca for my studies and left in January to study Civil Society and Municipal Governance for four months. My expectations were generally that I would strengthen my Spanish all the while expanding my knowledge of how community-based organizations and municipalities in Mexico strengthen civil society in the country. My experience far exceeded my expectations. The immediate impact of the exchange program was that I left with a genuine passion for international development informed by the fascinating examples of Mexican communities mobilizing to determine their own futures. Almost 3 years later the impact is still apparent as I have kept in contact with friends and organizations I met in Toluca. I currently work in international development, working in Spanish to support local partners in Guatemala and Bolivia to strengthen civil society organizations. I have also applied for a Masters program in Community and Regional Planning – an area of study that was first introduced to me during my time in Mexico. While I can draw professional and academic links to the Trilateral Student Exchange Program it is the personal contribution it made to my life that is more difficult to quantify and the personal growth I experienced exceeded all expectations. In the end, the program taught me the importance of working in solidarity to ensure that people in Mexico and Canada have a way to advocate for themselves and a vehicle to improve their livelihoods, because without a voice, we all live in poverty.” Akua S.
“This international experience was crucial to determine the area I will be working in the future: research on alternative ways in which civil society can respond to the needs of developing countries.” Renaldo A.
“My student-colleagues were incredibly friendly and went out of their way to make sure me and the other Canadian students felt welcome and that we were part of their graduate class…I will never forget studying some of the concepts related to civil society organization and participation and then heading to Oaxaca on the weekend and seeing massive strikes - massive civil society movements - all around me. I cannot stress enough what a great program it is.” Sara P. |
