Western Washington University recently concluded its Spring Break 2025 Global Learning Program in Querétaro, Mexico, a city located approximately 200 miles north of Mexico City with a population of around 1.2 million. The program focused on International Business, Planning, and Environmental Sustainability, providing students with an immersive, applied learning experience.
The trip was led by Professor Gigi Berardi from the College of the Environment’s Department of Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy, who teaches courses in Agroecology, Sustainable Business, and Food Policy and Security. The program is known for its hands-on approach, which students highly appreciate.
What made this trip particularly special was the participation of Mary Moors, an undergraduate academic advisor at Western who has worked at the university for over 25 years. Though not a student or faculty member, Moors enthusiastically embraced the experience despite some initial challenges.
The journey began with a visit to the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site. There, the group met Martha “Pati” Ruiz Corzo, the matriarch of a family that founded the Sierra Gorda Ecological Group in 1987. Pati’s son described their mission as “protection, not empty talk.” Their efforts include environmental education, resource recycling, organic compost production, and signing carbon reserve agreements with private landowners to make forest conservation more economically viable than cattle grazing.
Moors noted that her time in Sierra Gorda significantly reduced her eco-anxiety. She gained renewed hope in the power of practical collective action to address environmental challenges.
The trip was not without difficulties. On the first night, the group’s van broke down during the mountainous journey to Sierra Gorda. Despite this setback, the students and their leader showed remarkable resilience, and the experience fostered stronger group cohesion.
During a hike through the pristine forest, Moors experienced a fall resulting in a broken nose and scraped knee. She was the only participant needing medical attention, which was promptly and conveniently provided, including antibiotics for a throat infection.
The itinerary included visits to one of the world’s largest monoliths in San Sebastian Bernal, the historic city of San Miguel de Allende, a working mine, and the Bloque Center for Creative Innovation and Technology, a new sustainable energy project in Querétaro. The group also attended presentations by local government officials, participated in Spanish language and cultural classes organized by Olé, and explored the historic old town of Querétaro.
Despite falling ill during the trip, Moors expressed that she would never miss such a valuable educational experience. She emphasized the meaningfulness of immersive learning, even when faced with challenges.
The program was supported by funding from Ashley Hollenbeck and the International Studies Office at Western Washington University, which helped cover homestay accommodations, field trips, and cultural activities organized by Olé.
For those interested in similar opportunities, more information is available on Western’s Education Abroad website and the Department of Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy site.
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