Our semester in Cuernavaca is about halfway done and I feel so grateful to be here. Whether it was witnessing the traditional Brincon at the annual Carnaval in Topostlan, hearing from traditional healers and community leaders of Amatlan, or sharing a meal with residents at the Casa Tochan migrant shelter in Mexico City, everywhere we’ve gone shown us another example of dedication, community, and joy as a form of shared resistance.

This program has been comprehensive, to say the least. Not only in the range of topics we’ve covered, but also the range of ways we explored them: We’ve studied migration both through hearing from experts on the immigration system, as well as the lived migration experiences of community members who were willing to share them. We’ve learned about women’s issues, LGBTQ+ issues, and the place of religion in Mexico from public officials, activists, and local progressive churches; we’ve also learned by talking to our host families about their lives as we get to know them.

The more traditional avenues of learning we’re given are also important, don’t get me wrong. Texts, research, and empirical data are all great ways to get a really in-depth, technical understanding of the issues that impact us. But people’s stories, their dreams, struggles and emotions are why we learn about these issues in the first place. Reflecting on this has helped me better understand what I want to do with these stories, and what I want to contribute to my community back home in and outside of the classroom.

The post Augsburg CGEE in Mexico: The Lived Experience [Student Reflection] appeared first on Center for Global Education and Experience.

Summary of Job Description:�� The purpose of this one-year stipended fellowship is to help foster a healthy living/learning environment for semester students and participants in short-term educational seminars and to assist with the operation and promotion of CGEE-educational programs in Mexico.�� The primary responsibilities of the fellow are to assist study abroad students (mostly coming from the U.S.A.) with medical and emotional issues and to help them develop intercultural and global competencies, as well as to assist in the operation of all educational programs. The IRA will also be expected to help produce social media content that can help promote these programs.

Length and dates of this stipend fellowship position: *August 15, 2026 – August 20, 2027 (*The starting and ending dates are slightly flexible.)

Stipend & Other Benefits��

This is a one-year academic fellowship that provides:

• a monthly stipend of US $700��
• room, board, health insurance in Mexico (approximate value of US $1,000/month),��
• airfare to and from the United States,��
• educational opportunities, including setting your learning goals related to intercultural and international education and receiving support in accomplishing those goals.����
• 10 days of vacation (to be taken after the semester ends in December), plus Mexican federal holidays.

Given that this is a fellowship intended to benefit a recent college graduate who is seeking hands-on experience working in international education, these benefits are appropriate within the Mexican context, when you consider the benefits of room, board, health insurance and travel in addition to the monthly monetary stipend.

Application Deadline: March 15, 2026

International Resident Assistant (“IRA”) Responsibilities

Brief description of duties is below, we encourage you to read the full description and qualifications if you are interested in applying.

Resident Assistant (R.A.) Responsibilities

• Live-In Support & Health Coordination: Reside at “Casa Augsburg” to serve as the primary on-call first responder, managing emergency assistance, medical appointments, insurance claims, and the semester-long on-call schedule to ensure student safety.
• Housing Operations & Logistics: Oversee the complete arrival and living experience, including coordinating flight pickups, managing roommate assignments and dietary needs, preparing the facility, and leading housing and safety orientations.
• Community Building & Engagement: Foster a positive living-learning environment by conducting individual student check-ins, maintaining communication channels, and organizing community meetings, social events, and cultural excursions.

Connect Students to the Broader Community

• Help plan and facilitate orientation activities to help students get to know Cuernavaca.
• Inform students of social, cultural, political, & other events in Cuernavaca and the surrounding area. It is recommended that the International Resident Assistant organize a bulletin board with updated information about opportunities to go to events and get involved in the local community.

Assist with Diversity and Intercultural/Global Education and Community-Building

• Assist the faculty with the design, facilitation, and debriefing of some classes that focus on intercultural and global competencies.
• Co-coordinate the intercultural exchange with IHouse students as an integral part of the program.
• Plan and facilitate or co-facilitate group activities &/or meetings with the students to help build trust among the students and to address issues of concern to the group. These issues usually include concerns about racism, classism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, religious discrimination, etc.)
• Spend time with students and other program participants to support them as they process their intercultural learning experience.
• Help students find appropriate ways to manage conflicts that emerge within the group. This may mean organizing and/or facilitating or arranging a session on conflict management and helping mediate when necessary.

Academic Program Responsibilities

• Assist all professors with educational materials and classroom and guest speaker/excursion set-up related to their classes, and communicate with them regarding the weekly gmail calendars.
• Coordinate the rental and sale of books that students need for their courses.��
• Communicate regularly with the adjunct and/or visiting professors about their classes, guest speakers, and excursions, and provide logistical support to them. Assist instructors and program coordinators in planning, set-up, operation, and evaluation of the semester programs.
• Oversee the ongoing confirmation, updating, printing, and distribution of weekly program calendars with students, staff, host families, and any others who need them.
• Provide interpreting support from Spanish to English (and vice versa) in very informal, small group settings as needed.�� (Training and support provided for those interested in learning this skill.)

Administrative Responsibilities

• Coordinate and follow-up with the insurance company regarding claims for students and our program.
• Perform regular administrative tasks such as checking e-mail, filing, running errands, maintaining computer databases, shelving books in the library, managing WhatsApp groups, and assisting with other projects.
• Help the Office Manager & Homestay Coordinator & others to organize activities with host families & others, as asked.��
• Manage finances needed for student activities and file a monthly finance report by the last working day of each month.
• Coordinate and pay guest speakers, drivers, meals, and entrance fees, as needed.
• Attend staff meetings.
• Edit and update the IRA training manual for future IRAs and help prepare and facilitate their orientation.

Marketing Responsibilities

• Assist with recruiting students and short-term customized program participants by taking��& submitting digital photos with short captions explaining them to help document each of the major components of the program, such as guest speakers and excursions, rural seminars and the seminar in Mexico City, homestays (both rural and urban), travel to other areas of Mexico, etc.��
• Assist with the creation and maintenance of social media posts in coordination with the Minneapolis and other Mexico faculty/staff members, including TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.

Qualifications/Requirements��������

• Demonstrated commitment to the mission and goals of Augsburg CGEE, including our educational philosophy and our commitment to intercultural and global education, social justice and anti-oppression work.
• Experience in international and multicultural settings, as well as deep knowledge of intercultural issues and group dynamics.��
• Experience and/or knowledge of at least one of the program areas we address, such as globalization, migration, language and culture, religion, the environment, education, and/or social work. BSW graduates are encouraged to apply.
• Ability to multitask.
• Strong knowledge of both Spanish and English. Strong speaking ability of both English and Spanish is necessary. Fluency is preferred, along with experience with at least basic interpreting from Spanish-English and vice versa.
• Initiative, flexibility, leadership, and strong intercultural and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience with taking photos and social media is preferred.
• Resident advisor experience or equivalent community-based living experience is preferred.
• Basic computer and organizational skills, as well as attention to detail.
• Experience in group facilitation, particularly of intercultural and/or diversity issues, preferred.
• Experience living in both the United States and Mexico is preferred.
• Preference given to alumni of Augsburg CGEE semester programs or similar study abroad programs in Latin America.

Application Instructions

and MUST submit the following documents:

• Resume
• A Cover Letter
• Three Professional References*

*When listing reference information, please use professional references (including one past or present supervisor).

Submit applications by March 15, 2026: where you will answer a few brief questions, and upload your resume, cover letter, and professional references. If you have any issues accessing or uploading your documents, please email globaled@augsburg.edu. Be��sure to write “(Name) IRA Mexico Fellow Position” in the subject heading of your email.����

Augsburg University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.�� All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national origin, familial status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or public assistance status.

More About Us

About Augsburg University:�� Augsburg University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and nine graduate degrees to more than 3,500 students of diverse backgrounds. The trademark of an Augsburg education is its emphasis on direct, personal experience. Guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, Augsburg educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.

About Augsburg CGEE:�� Founded in 1982, the mission of the Center for Global Education and Experience (CGEE) at Augsburg University is to “provide cross-cultural educational opportunities in order to foster critical analysis of local and global conditions so that personal and systemic change occurs, leading to a more just and sustainable world.” The Cuernavaca, Mexico site offers three semester-long study abroad programs:��

• Communication and Media Studies: Migration and Social Change in Mexico (Fall)
• Liberal Arts, Migration and Social Change (Fall and Spring)
• Social Work in a Latin American Context (Spring)

In addition, we offer four 3-week summer sessions focusing on Spanish language and social change, as well as a summer program for pre-med and other health care students. We also facilitate numerous short-term programs (1-2 weeks) throughout the year.�� See for more information about program and course offerings.����

The post Now Hiring: International Resident Assistant (Mexico) appeared first on Center for Global Education and Experience.

Final Reflection

This second half of the semester has been nothing short of eye-opening and grounded in collective care. Our excursions and conversations revealed different dimensions of struggle, identity, and resistance across Mexico City. We engaged with activists who discussed immigration patterns, community organizing, and efforts to protect vulnerable populations facing deportations, as well as speakers who addressed issues like state violence, the war on drugs, and social movements. Alongside these discussions, we encountered artists and cultural practitioners who shared their work and traditions, from Afro-descendant and Indigenous perspectives to feminist artistic expressions. Together, these experiences offered insights into how communities resist erasure, preserve memory, and assert identity, underscoring the transformative power of culture, activism, and collective care.

Coming from my perspective as a first-generation Mexican-American, these experiences resonated deeply. I saw connections between the struggles and resilience of communities in Mexico and the challenges faced by Mexican and Latinx communities in the United States, including my own family’s experiences with migration and systemic barriers. The focus on collective care, how communities support one another, preserve culture, and resist oppression, helped me understand that these struggles are not individual but shared, and that solidarity and mutual support are vital to survival and empowerment. Witnessing these forms of care and resistance firsthand expanded my sense of responsibility to my own community and strengthened my appreciation for the ways identity, memory, and culture are preserved across borders and generations.

The post Final Reflection on Migration and Social Change [Fall 2025 Student Post] appeared first on Center for Global Education and Experience.

We’re a little over halfway through the semester abroad here in Cuernavaca, and it has been nothing short of welcoming and warm. We’ve already visited so many places like Mexico City, Amatlán, and Tepoztlán, which have all been incredibly insightful. Each place has shown how different communities are united by the same goals of resistance, preserving their identities and those of their ancestors, and fighting for social justice.

Many of the topics we’ve explored include immigration, hearing people’s migration stories, learning about immigration in Mexico from other Latin American countries, and understanding what U.S. immigration policies look like, as well as LGBTTTQ+ visibility and feminicides in Mexico. It’s very powerful to hear these stories directly from the people who lived them because there is nothing more impactful than hearing their emotions, their memories, and how these experiences continue to shape their lives.

The stories about immigration especially resonate with me, coming from a Mexican household where both of my parents migrated to the U.S. at a very young age. It reminds me of the sacrifices they made so that I could have opportunities they didn’t, and hearing other people’s experiences gives me a deeper understanding of what that journey truly means. It’s easy to get caught in mindsets that limit how we see the world, but listening to the struggles, reasoning, and resilience of others and seeing how often they are treated as less than human really changes one’s perspective. These experiences have made me reflect more on my own family’s history and the challenges faced by many migrants who continue to seek better lives. Overall, this experience has made me feel even more proud of my intersecting identities and has helped me reconnect with my roots in a much deeper and more personal way.

The post Reconnecting with My Roots: A Mid-Semester Reflection appeared first on Center for Global Education and Experience.

Highlighting the Study Center of Augsburg CGEE in Cuernavaca, Mexico

Augsburg staff members Fátima Mendoza and Lucy Hardaker co-presented a session titled: “Bridging Barriers: Supporting Students in Non-Traditional Locations.”

The presentation focused on encouraging students to look beyond Western European destinations (such as Barcelona and London) and instead explore high-impact experiences like the one offered at Augsburg’s own Mexico Study Center. The presentation highlighted on three unique perspectives, including:

• Ethical Advising and Marketing strategies for promoting programs in Latin America and Africa; from the point-of-view of advisors & US-based staff.
• The incredible on-the-ground student experience in Mexico; from the point-of-view of on-site staff in Mexico.
• The significant impact of the Mexico Study Center on the careers and life trajectories of alumni; from the point-of-view of alumni themselves.

The session was powerfully enhanced by two Augsburg students and recent Mexico study abroad alumni who shared their personal testimonials: Diana Reyes ’26 and John Reuss ’23 and MAT ’26. Their stories brought to life the transformative value of choosing a global learning experience outside of the conventional.

This successful presentation underscores Augsburg’s commitment to providing students with meaningful study abroad opportunities that truly broaden their horizons and enhance career readiness post-graduation.

The post Augsburg Shines at the Global Impact Conference in Minneapolis appeared first on Center for Global Education and Experience.

Interdisciplinary Educational Week in México City

The week after our Spring Break we had an interdisciplinary educational week in Mexico City. Being so close to CDMX is one of the advantages of Cuernavaca! On Monday we started our week with a tour of the beautiful UNAM where we even got to visit the Olympic Stadium!

The week was filled with different activities and topics each centered around the different courses we are taking. For biology students, on Monday afternoon we had the opportunity to visit Huerto Romita which is a community garden and restaurant focused on organizing the community and protecting biodiversity. It included a fun workshop of making seed bombs which is an Asian practice! On Tuesday, we were off to Xochimilco! It was beautiful to connect with nature through our boat rides, learning about the cultivation of the land for the indigenous community, and seeing an axolotl! This was one of my favorite activities of the week, as it was so refreshing to learn about gardening systems and how Humedalia is protecting the environment in Xochimilco. Our last biology related activity was visiting the museum on the UNAM campus!

We got a guided tour to learn about different animal species native to Mexico and participated in a 3D model workshop of an axolotl. In terms of art, Mexico City is filled with it! We visited the Frida Kahlo Museum and Modern Art Museum on UNAM’s campus as well. Both were filled with beautiful pieces!

Other activities included actually exploring and getting to know the city! We had a tour of the Historic Center and Templo Mayor where the remains of Tenochtitlan are located and an afternoon in Coyoacan! There were three events that were in relation to our communication class and my political science one. The first one was a talk at the Casa de los Pueblos Indígenas and it was truly empowering to hear how they are organizing as a community to fight for their rights. The second one was a visit to Casa Pocha, which supports individuals who are removed from the United States whether that be by offering housing, resources, or general information. Their mission and work is inspiring. Lastly, on Friday we had the privilege to visit the U.S. Embassy in CDMX to have a briefing with David Young. We learned about foreign service work but also the role of the embassy in Mexico and it was an opportunity I am very fortunate to have had.

Our semester is coming to an end soon and it’s very bittersweet! The semester flew by and I am sad that I only have a couple more weeks left in Cuernavaca. It has been nothing but the best and I am so thankful for this program!

The post Student Blog: Week in México City appeared first on Center for Global Education and Experience.

We are almost a month into our programming and I have been taking some time to reflect on our experiences thus far. When I was applying to study abroad, I was looking at all the programs available to me. Augsburg in México immediately stood out to me. My initial hesitation was why chose a program in a country that I have been to already, so many people were urging me to choose a European program. I am Mexican-American and had visited México before but upon further research I knew this was the program for me.

I am double majoring in International Studies and Spanish with a concentration in migration studies. This program has been perfect for me, giving me so many beneficial opportunities. I get to not only take Spanish classes that are making me feel more confident in my speaking skills, but the classes are also teaching me about my ancestry and México’s history. Alongside my Spanish classes I get to take an immigration class learning about migration policies between the U.S. and México.

The hospitality we’ve been shown has been so welcoming and I am so thankful for it. The staff here in Cuernavaca is amazing and we have already created so many memories! Every speaker has been so insightful and these “oral texts” have become such important learning experiences for us. Our first weekend we had an excursion to the pyramids of Xochicalco and then as students we planned an excursion for ourselves to Ciudad de México! It has been an amazing month and I am looking forward to what’s come! For those who are applying to study abroad programs, look into Latin America :)!

The post One Month In: Reflections from México appeared first on Center for Global Education and Experience.

Summary of Job Description:�� The purpose of this one-year stipend fellowship is to promote a healthy living/learning environment for semester students and participants in short-term educational seminars at Augsburg CGEE in Mexico.�� In addition, the primary responsibilities of the fellow are to assist study abroad students (mostly coming from the U.S.A.) with medical and emotional issues and to help them develop intercultural and global competencies, as well as to assist in the operation of all educational programs. The IRA will also be expected to produce social media that can help promote these programs and help with administrative tasks.

Length and dates of this stipend fellowship position: *August 15, 2024 – August 21, 2025 (*The starting and ending dates are slightly flexible.)

Stipend & Other Benefits��

This is a one-year academic fellowship that provides:

• a monthly stipend of US $650 (approximately MXN $11,000 pesos/month),��
• room, board, health insurance in Mexico (approximately MXN $ 15,000 pesos/month),��
• airfare to and from the United States,
• the possibility of deferred student loans, and
• Educational opportunities, including setting your learning goals related to intercultural and international education and receiving support in accomplishing those goals.����
• 10 days of vacation (to be taken after the semester ends in December), plus Mexican federal holidays unless impossible due to programming, in which case you can arrange a different day off with your supervisor

Given that this is a fellowship intended to benefit a recent college graduate who is seeking hands-on experience working in international education, these benefits are appropriate within the Mexican context, as the sum of the stipend and benefits.

Submit applications by May 1, 2024: Email your application materials (resume, cover letter, and three professional references) to: Ann Lutterman-Aguilar (lutterma@augsburg.edu), Fatima Mendoza (mendoza@augsburg.edu) and Violeta Jaramillo (jaramill@augsburg.edu). Be sure to write “(Name) IRA Mexico Fellow Position” in the subject heading of your email.

International Resident Assistant (“IRA”) Responsibilities

Please see the summary statement at the top of this page.

Resident Assistant (R.A.) Responsibilities

• Live in “Casa Augsburg,” the Augsburg CGEE program house in order to provide first response and emergency assistance to semester students and short-term program participants.�� This includes contacting the insurance company and taking students to the doctor as necessary.����
• Given your proximity to students, you will serve as the primary on-call person, and so you will be asked to set up and coordinate the semester-long on-call schedule with the assistance and�� final approval of your supervisor.�� During the week, you will be expected to be on call during the daytime every weekday.�� You will also be on call at least two weekends per month. You will be provided training and initially take a student or two to the doctor with your supervisor or another experienced on-call staff person.����
• Share students’ dietary needs and preferences and any house maintenance needs that arise with the Office Manager.�� Ensure that students submit their Housing & Homestay Form and determine roommate matches for semester students & inform the Office Manager and other staff of rooming arrangements.��
• Meet with the Office Manager regularly to inform her of any changes regarding meals and whether there will be fewer or additional people at specific meals.
• Provide student emergency medical information to be carried at all times & distributed to the rest of the program staff.
• Provide assistance to students and staff with information needed for health insurance claims.
• Create a healthy living/learning environment in “Casa Augsburg.” This may mean setting and facilitating occasional house meetings or “community meetings” as deemed necessary.
• Check-in with each student individually after the first weeks of the semester and just over half way through the semester.��
• Keep track of students’ physical and mental health issues, and inform your supervisor as necessary.
• Channel students to appropriate physical and mental health services.
• Assist students with making appointments for physical and mental health care and accompany them to interpret, as appropriate.
• Assist students in submitting insurance claims forms for medical expenses in Mexico.
• Help prepare the house for the arrival of new groups by making sure that everything is ready for them, including their mailboxes, napkin rings, rooms, etc.
• Facilitate house orientations and health & safety orientations for new groups, including the preparation of potential orientation packets with maps and other helpful items.
• Organize occasional fun weekday and/or weekend events for students.����
• Together with other staff, set up occasional optional day trips on weekends to places like Mexico City, Teotihuacan, outdoor waterparks, etc., and arrange the drivers and other logistics.
• Complete other tasks as necessary.

Academic Program Responsibilities

• Help coordinate and work with students regarding their facilitation of an ongoing (nearly weekly) intercultural exchange with Mexican university students at International House. This is an integral part of the COM 329, INS 492/495, & SWK 261 courses.
• Assist all professors with educational materials and classroom and guest speaker/excursion set-up related to their classes and communicate with them regarding the weekly Gmail calendars.
• Communicate regularly with the adjunct and/or visiting professors about their classes, guest speakers, and excursions, and provide logistical support to them. Assist instructors and program coordinators in planning, set-up, operation, and evaluation of the semester programs.
• Coordinate and oversee the Gmail calendars of educational activities and share calendars with students and staff.
• Oversee the ongoing confirming, updating, printing, and distribution of weekly program calendars to students, staff, host families, and any others who need them.
• Provide interpreting support from Spanish to English (and vice versa) in very informal, small group settings, as needed.�� (Training and support provided for those interested in learning this skill.)

Administrative Responsibilities��

• Coordinate and follow-up with the insurance company regarding claims for students and our program.
• Finalize and distribute the weekly calendars for each program.
• Perform regular administrative tasks such as checking e-mail, filing, running errands, maintaining computer databases, shelving books in the library, managing WhatsApp groups, and assisting with other projects.
• Help the Office Manager & Homestay Coordinator & others to organize activities with host families & others, as asked.��
• Manage a student activities budget and file a monthly finance report, as requested.
• Coordinate and pay guest speakers, drivers, meals, and entrance fees, as needed.
• Attend staff meetings.

Marketing Responsibilities ����������

• Assist with recruiting students and short-term customized program participants by taking and submitting digital photos with short captions explaining them to help document each of the major components of the program, such as guest speakers and excursions, rural seminars and the seminar in Mexico City, homestays (both rural and urban), travel to other areas of Mexico, etc.����
• Assist with the creation and maintenance of social media posts in coordination with the Minneapolis and other Mexico faculty/staff members, including TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.
• Participate in a cross-site social media team and marketing team, if requested.
• Interview students, staff, host families, and guest speakers and then write short articles and/or create short videos that promote the programs, as requested.
• Assist with other projects as necessary.

Assist with Diversity and Intercultural/Global Education and Community-Building

• Assist the professor of the COM 329 Intercultural Communication & SWK 261 U.S.-Mexican Relations courses in the design, facilitation, and debriefing of the classes, which all students take.�� Attend all class sessions and facilitate full and/or small group discussions as needed.�� Please note that the International House exchange mentioned elsewhere is an integral part of this course.��
• Co-coordinate the intercultural exchange with IHouse students as an integral part of the COM 329 & SWK 261 course.��
• Plan and facilitate or co-facilitate group activities and/or meetings with the students to help build trust among the students and to address issues of concern to the group.�� These issues usually include concerns about racism, classism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, religious discrimination, etc.)
• Spend time with students and other program participants to support them as they process their intercultural learning experience. This includes eating meals with students on a regular basis while they’re living in the program house; conducting individual interviews with each student at the beginning and middle of the semester; and holding regular drop-in times for students to chat.
• Help students find appropriate ways to manage conflicts that emerge within the group. This may mean organizing and/or facilitating or arranging a session on conflict management and helping mediate when necessary.

Connect Students to the Broader Community

• Help plan and facilitate orientation activities to help students get to know Cuernavaca.
• Inform students of social, cultural, political, & other events in Cuernavaca and the surrounding area.�� It is recommended that the International Resident Assistant organize a bulletin board with updated information about opportunities to go to events and get involved in the local community.

Customized Program (Short-Term Group) Responsibilities

• Carry out house responsibilities as listed above.
• Assist the customized program coordinators by preparing the orientation packets for each group prior to arrival, as requested.�� This includes a map, health & safety information, an updated and customized Market Basket Survey, and other materials.
• Meet with the leader of each program to find out what they will need from you before, during and after the program.

��Qualifications/Requirements��������

• Demonstrated commitment to the mission and goals of Augsburg CGEE, including our educational philosophy and our commitment to intercultural and global education, social justice and anti-oppression work.
• Experience in international and multicultural settings, as well as deep knowledge of intercultural issues, including intercultural communication and conflict styles, racism and discrimination in general, gender, socio-economic class, human sexuality, ability, and group dynamics. Experience in facilitating group work on anti-racism and power and privilege preferred. BSW graduates are encouraged to apply.
• Initiative, flexibility, leadership, and strong intercultural and interpersonal communication skills.
• Basic computer and organizational skills, as well as attention to detail.
• Administrative experience and willingness to assist with administrative tasks.
• Strong ability to multitask.
• Experience with social media is preferred.
• Resident advisor experience or equivalent community-based living experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of both Spanish and English. Strong speaking ability in both English and Spanish is necessary. Fluency is preferred, along with experience with at least basic interpreting from Spanish-English and vice versa.
• Experience in group facilitation, particularly of intercultural and/or diversity issues, preferred.
• Experience living in both the United States and Mexico is preferred.
• Preference given to alumni of Augsburg CGEE semester programs or similar study abroad programs in Latin America, with particular emphasis on the Social Work in Latin America program.

Application Instructions

Applicants MUST submit the following documents:

• Resume
• A Cover Letter
• Three Professional References*

*When listing reference information, please use professional references (including one past or present supervisor).

Submit applications by May 1, 2024: Email your application materials (resume, cover letter, and three professional references) to: Ann Lutterman-Aguilar (lutterma@augsburg.edu), Fatima Mendoza (mendoza@augsburg.edu) and Violeta Jaramillo (jaramill@augsburg.edu). Be sure to write “(Name) IRA Mexico Fellow Position” in the subject heading of your email.����

Augsburg University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.�� All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national origin, familial status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or public assistance status.

More About Us

About Augsburg University:�� Augsburg University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and nine graduate degrees to more than 3,500 students of diverse backgrounds. The trademark of an Augsburg education is its emphasis on direct, personal experience. Guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, Augsburg educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.

About Augsburg CGEE:�� Founded in 1982, the mission of the Center for Global Education and Experience (CGEE) at Augsburg University is to “provide cross-cultural educational opportunities in order to foster critical analysis of local and global conditions so that personal and systemic change occurs, leading to a more just and sustainable world.” The Cuernavaca, Mexico site offers three semester-long study abroad programs:��

• Communication and Media Studies: Migration and Social Change in Mexico (Fall)
• Liberal Arts, Migration and Social Change (Fall and Spring)
• Social Work in a Latin American Context (Spring)

In addition, we offer four 3-week summer sessions focusing on Spanish language and social change, as well as a summer program for pre-med and other health care students. We also facilitate numerous short-term programs (1-2 weeks) throughout the year.�� See for more information about program and course offerings.����

The post Now Hiring: Resident Assistant (Mexico) appeared first on Center for Global Education and Experience.

��On a Sunday in September, we met with a very confident and knowledgeable lady named Fabiola in Amatlán. She has one daughter and a fun fact about herself was that she is a dancer. Fabiola is a cofounder of the group called Women for Women in the town of Amatlán and other surrounding towns. Before she talked about her group and what they do, the first made a prayer asking the guardian to make everyone comfortable and to be able to understand and take away something from what she was going to tell us. That was interesting to hear.

According to Fabiola, Women for Women is an organized group of indigenous women that came together to unite and talk about their stories, struggles and other things that women go through and create a sisterhood. She said that she has also met with indigenous women from Peru, Ecuador, and the United States. Fabiola talked about how for a while she only saw herself as a woman from Tepoxalin, but travelling and being among different group of women made her realized that she was different. Another interesting thing that she said was that she is not married, and not being married made her work a little easier for her, because she doesn’t have an extra obligation to a man apart from being a mom. She also said that some of the women that she works with are not married neither. She also said that being in their group, she recognized that most the of the women had something in common. The thing that they all had a common was that they have all experienced some form of abuse, sexism, and racism. They had different kinds of violence in different ways. She also said that they don’t hate men even though they have experienced some type of violence from men. She said they are not what you would call “modern day” feminist. She said that they support their men and work beside them to stop violence. She said that their goal is to live free of violence and take full control of their lives.

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One of my fears of studying abroad in Mexico was the fear of being lonely. I was coming to a country where I didn’t know anyone. I couldn’t speak the language, and I was not sure if my two years of Spanish classes in college was going to work for me. I knew that there were students from my college coming as well, but at that moment, I had never met anyone of them. I had a lot of anxiety about things not going well. I reached out to Ann, the director here in Mexico to talk to her about some of my concerns about studying abroad, and she was kind enough to connect me with a student that had study abroad here in Mexico the previous semester. The student was very kind as well and she reassured me that everything was going to be okay once I arrive in Mexico.

My time here in Mexico has been amazing. The students here that I am studying abroad with are amazing. Maddy, Angelica, Bella, Savannah, Henry, Antonio, Towns, and Tori have all made my study abroad experience an amazing experience so far. It is great to have people that you can talk and relate to in other ways given that you all are going to the same experience. We have all been taking care of each other in ways that we know how to. For example, when I had some stomach issue during our trip to Amatlan, one of the students Angelica made me some tea and kept checking on me to make sure I was doing good. The same happens for other students as well. When someone is going somewhere cool, they extend the invitation to everyone in the group. We are like a family here.

The staff here at Casa Augsburg are more than amazing. Ruti our RA is amazing. She goes above and beyond to meet our needs. She takes everyone needs very seriously. I can say that I feel comfortable going to her about my needs. I am sure the other students feel the same way. Ann and the other professors have been amazing as well. Sometimes everyone has lunch together after class and just talk about what is going on at the moment. Everyone has been respectful of each other’s boundaries. We haven’t had a problem with that. The staff are open to questions that we have, and they are always more than happy to answer them. Having lunch together with everyone and talking has been one of my favorite parts of my study abroad experience.

My both my host parents in Amatlan and Cuernavaca is amazing people. My host parents in Amatlan were what I would call “cool” they had tacos stand at night and we would go there to play cards and board games with my host sister and host brother. They even told us to invite our friends to the stand. We invited our friends, and they had an amazing time. One of my favorites parts of the homestay was walking our host brother to school in the morning and picking him up after school. My host parents here in Cuernavaca are great people as well. My host mom makes sure that my dietary needs are met, and she encourages me to ask for things when I need them. My host dad is amazing as well along with my host sister. We have been to their family gatherings, and I had a great time meeting the extended family. I love both families.

In conclusion, I am having a great time in Cuernavaca Mexico! The people are very welcoming, and I have never been made to feel like I don’t belong. A word that I have used a lot in this post is “amazing” because that is the only way that I know how to describe my experience. There are days that can be a little hard because I get home sick sometimes, but I am enjoying the experience at the same time. I am making new friends and family here and it feels great to have that community of people who are supportive and loving.

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