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Study abroad and experience the magic of Mexico, while you learn the skills needed to bring a group together around a common vision and effect positive change toward sustainability. Through a skills-in-action learning project, students assess the needs of the emerging ecovillage at Huehuecoyotl, or the adjacent town and forest, to design and complete a community service project that will benefit the environment and those who live in the area. Working in small groups under the guidance of expert faculty, students practice the skills and stories that make responsible leaders effective in formulating and carrying out a successful vision for a sustainable future.
In addition, you will be introduced to the values, history and native traditions of both the ecovillage and the surrounding towns in the magical Tepoztecan mountain region of central Mexico, a treasure of traditional local culture dating back to pre-colonial times. Optional Spanish language classes are available and there are ample opportunities to build your language skills and explore local arts and culture in the museums, cafes, shops, gathering places and open air markets of neighboring towns.
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Visit sites dating from the Aztec empire, the Spanish
conquest, the Mexican Revolution and the contemporary fight
against globalism and reflect on the cultural implications
of these historic phenomena |
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Under the shadow of Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl
volcanos, walk rugged and beautiful mountain trails used for
millennia |
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Visit Xochicalco, Tepoztlan and sights of historic
and cultural interest |
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Enjoy the crafts, theatre and music of indigenous
artists from throughout Mexico |
- Stay three four wonderfully full days in the ancient community of Totolapan to explore topics such as migration to the U.S., social justice, Fair Trade, and leadership
- Enjoy the community hydroponic gardens, beautiful and productive fields, and historic central plaza
- Engage with village youth learning computer skills at the community center “Cuauhcalli”
- Dialogue with community members about gender roles and water issues
- Join town residents to create a community beautification project in coordination with the municipal government
- Help distribute milk to local families
- Artisan work/exchange (work on clay pots with local artisans)
- Visit the village of Tlayacapan’s artisan shops, convent and museum
- Participate in a local morning ritual in Nahuatl (indigenous language) with indigenous leaders and shamans.
- Eat and learn to prepare a variety of traditional foods made with local ly harvested vegetables
- Meet with youth and women’s groups
Read the article "Consensus at Huehuecoyotl" in Abroad View Magazine, written by program participant Danielle Connor »
Check out the student weblog »
Browse the photo gallery »
Located in the volcano belt of central Mexico, Huehuecoyotl was founded over 20 years ago by a diverse
international group of artists and musicians, political activists and ecologists. Since then the community
has evolved into a thriving residential community and learning center for permaculture design, consensus process
and cross-cultural understanding. Huehuecoyotl is a showcase for green (and beautiful) building and ecological site
planning and design. Community members are bilingual (English/Spanish) and opportunities to practice Spanish abound.
Leadership for Social Change
UMass CommColl 397I .......... (4 cr.)
Academic Credit
Earn 4 transferable credits through the University of Massachussetts,
Amherst
Find out
about transferring credits to your home school »
View the full curriculum for this program »
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Students from all over the U.S. and Latin America come to the Mexican community to study leadership, group facilitation and using the arts for change. More photos » |
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Students work in small groups to build skills in leadership and social change. More photos » |
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| Music and theatre are an integral part of community life. More photos » |
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Beatrice Briggs
Ph.D (ABD) History of Religions, University of Chicago Divinity School
MA, Religious Studies, University of Chicago
B.A., English, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Beatrice is director of the International Institute for Facilitation and Consensus (IIFAC) in Cuernevaca, Mexico, and
author of articles on decision-making and group facilitation as well as Introduction to Consensus, a manual used
by ecologists and activists around the world. Beatrice leads courses and workshops throughout the Americas. She
is a member of Ecovillage Huehuecoytol and is fluent in Spanish and English.
Tara Mirel
M.S. Community Development with a focus in Public Participation, University of California
B.A., Sociology and Cultural Studies, University of Pittsburgh
Tara works as a senior consultant for the International Institute for Facilitation and Change (www.iifac.org) in Cuernevaca, Mexico, providing facilitation services, consulting, and training to international organizations and governments. Previously, Tara was facilitating community and international development with several organizations including working with indigenous communities in Panama through the Peace Corps and negotiating human rights policy at the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Switzerland. In her free time, she manages to find time to indulge her passion for the outdoors, art, circus, and dancing.
Giovanni Ciarlo
M.A. Linguistics (cand.) Central Connecticut State University
B.A. Education. University of Connecticut
Giovanni is a founding member of Huehuecoyotl, a board member of the Global Ecovillage Network since 2003 and council member of the Ecovillage Network of the Americas since 1999. He is a world-traveled musician and performer working for educational reform through the arts. A member of IIFAC and an experienced Spanish language instructor, Giovanni will lead optional Spanish conversation classes for the group.
John Gerber
Ph.D., Vegetable Physiology/Agricultural Education/Soil Science, Cornell University
M.S., Vegetable Physiology, Cornell University
B.S., Botany, University of Rhode Island
John is a University of Massachusetts Amherst professor of plant and soil sciences and former dean of the College of
Food and Natural Resources, Executive Director, Consortium for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, and
former VP of the American Society of Horticultural Science. He teaches courses in Sustainable Agriculture, Plants and the
Environment, Dialogue on Agricultural Issues, Agricultural Systems Thinking, and Sustainable Living.
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credit... Included