Travel to Teach: Mexico Volunteer Story

Dawn Schmaling, 24, USA

In the fall of 2006, I ventured down to Jalapa, Mexico to gain a new experience through teaching English voluntarily.

During my three months there, I taught adults and adolescents in a youth center, a group of six graders in a public school, and also taught a handful of women in a social work center. It was rewarding teaching something to my students, who otherwise probably couldn’t afford the cost of English lessons. The sixth-graders, although a handful, were happy to see me and greeted me warmly for every class.

Teaching is only part of the experience of being in Mexico, however. I also enjoyed exploring the city of flowers, the nickname for Jalapa. During the entire year, the city is lush with greenery and beautiful bright flowers. I also traveled to nearby attractions, such as The Tajin, pyramids with an unknown origin, to the north of Jalapa. I also visited some beautiful waterfalls, in nearby Xico. The spicy, port city of Veracruz is only about a two hour relaxing bus ride to the south of Jalapa as well.

To me, though, what makes a trip truly special are the people you meet. From your students, to people you meet on the street, people are gracious and caring. I also became friends with the other volunteers, traveling together and spending time with one another. I have some wonderful life-long memories of my time in Jalapa of the people I met and the beautiful things I saw.

Email: Dawn

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