On this delegation, participants will have the unique opportunity to be in Oaxaca during the Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos celebration, a festival dating back to the Aztecs. As a result of neo-liberal economic policies, Oaxaca exports a large number of migrants every year to northern Mexico and the United States.
In spite of government development programs that favor international corporate interests over local needs, Oaxacans maintain a vital culture of struggle and resistance based in local indigenous traditions — Oaxaca has the largest indigenous population of any Mexican state, with 16 different indigenous groups. Women are often at the forefront of these struggles, organizing themselves and their communities to fight repression and leading the efforts to revitalize language and culture.
On this delegation we will examine the effects of globalization on Oaxaca firsthand by speaking with local social organizations and indigenous leaders as well as visiting indigenous communities. We will speak with migrant organizations, indigenous women leaders, and learn about the repercussions of resort tourism development for local people. Come with us on this trip to get an insiders peak at this family-honoring holiday and its often elaborate and colorful alters. Knowing that it always comes down to individual stories, we'll take our time listening to personal struggles and experiences to understand everything from indigenous art, archaeological history, and current social issues.
Please email Corina [2] if you would like to recieve a sample itinerary for this delegation.
- Meet with Oaxaca Peoples' Popular Assembly (APPO, for its acronym in Spanish) members to learn about the current political situation in Oaxaca
- Learn about the social movement of professors and teachers for justice
- Take part in the Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos celebration!
- Visit different communities and appreciate the altars people have set up in honor of their ancestors
- Walk around the beautiful colonial city of Oaxaca while you learn of its history
- Learn about Oaxacan migration to the U.S
- Meet artists and learn about the role they play in the popular movement of Oaxaca
- Learn about the indigenous people of Oaxaca, their history and their struggle to maintain their identity
- Double-room accommodations; on-ground transportation including airport pick-up and drop-off; Global Exchange bilingual trip leader; preparatory reading and orientation materials; admission and fees to all program activities; two meals a day (breakfast and dinner)
- NOT INCLUDED: airfare, airport departure taxes, lunches, tips, and personal expenses. Single rooms are available for an additional $200
- Please Note: Participants will arrive and depart from the Oaxaca City airport. Participants can also arrive at the Mexico City airport and take a bus to Oaxaca City. It is a seven-hour ride. If arriving by bus, please go directly to the hotel. Ask Program Coordinator for directions. All Global Exchange participants who arrive and depart on scheduled trip dates are guaranteed airport transportation. Please notify Program Coordinator of any special travel arrangements
We must receive your application and a non-refundable deposit of $400 two months before departure. Payments by Mastercard, Visa and Discover are welcome.
This trip will be as diverse as possible in terms of race, age and life experiences. We strongly urge people of color to apply. In some cases, a limited number of partial scholarships are available for low-income applicants.