College Student Affairs Leadership
All Spotlights » Josh Lee - Reflecting on Mexico
The CSAL Experience - Reflecting on Mexico
The CSAL program has been a phenomenal ride during my short time here at Grand Valley State University. The faculty and staff that support the program truly believe in their students and are passionate about student affairs. I have been significantly challenged and supported through my transition from an undergraduate student towards my career in the student affairs profession. However, one experience that has really shaped my prospective about my place in the profession was the Mexico study abroad trip.
The trip to Mexico is in many ways, indescribable. The opportunity to immerse myself in the culture, traditions, and educational system of a small region in the state of Puebla, Mexico was intense and enlightening. Of course, the dozen of us that attended had a lot of fun as well!
What I felt was most profound about my Mexico experience was how applicable it was to my career. I left Mexico with a greater appreciation of the land and the culture; however, I also gained an understanding of the considerable differences between the United States and Mexico. The ability to recognize the lens that Mexican people have when viewing the United States also transferred to my multi-cultural competence with all frames of diversity. I am now better able to walk in the shoes of my future students which is extremely important to help them grow and develop holistically.
I would highly recommend the Mexico experience to any first year graduate student in the CSAL or Higher Education program. This is one of the unique features that Grand Valley¿s program has to offer and it is completely worth the time and energy!
--Joshua Lee, Class of 2011
