|
“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. |
