The Center for International Experiential Learning (CIEL) invites you on a study tour to the Mexico / US border from May 21 - 24, 2024.

Why learn about the US-Mexico border?

The border and immigration have become central issues in our currently very polarized political environment. However, few people have actually visited the border regions in earnest and dived into the complexity of the issues.

This study tour will travel to both sides of the Mexico-US border to learn about the challenge associated with human migration in North America. We will examine firsthand the “push factors” and “pull factors” that motivate migrants to embark on a difficult journey to the US-Mexico border. We will tour the borderland region, closely examine current policies and their impact, meet grassroots activists, interact with ordinary folk, and have discussions on the politics of the Americas and conflict resolution best practices. There will also be some time for recreational activities as part of this short program.

Itinerary

The program will start on the morning of May 21st in San Diego with two days of programming on the U.S. side of the border, including meetings with elected officials, activists, non-profits, and people living on the border. The group will get the opportunity to visit the border with the Dept. of Homeland Security US Border Patrol and with the non-profit Water Stations that provides water on the desert migration routes. On May 23rd we will cross into Tijuana and visit the border on the Mexican side. We will meet with people in migrant shelters and asylum seeker family shelters, learning from local activists and non-profits about the mounting challenges and best practices. We will meet with officials in Rosarito (next to Tijuana) to understand the political dimensions on the Mexican side of the border. We will also get the chance to see the growing tourist areas in Baja California, Mexico, attracting thousands of US travellers a year who exist side-by-side with the many migrants hoping to enter the U.S.

At the end of the trip on the 24th, participants will either be transported back to San Diego with assistance in the border crossing or brought to the Tijuana airport with the chance to continue the journey and join the CIEL Alumni weekend in Mexico City or organize personal travel in Mexico.  

Who Should Join?

No background on the subject is necessary, and our professional guides from the Global Minds Institute will guide us during the four days of the program and facilitate learning conversations and exercises with our group. The main themes we will explore are the history of US-Mexico relations about the border area (borderlands), the complex dilemmas presented by human migration, and the “push and pull” factors motivating human migration. There is a range of competing narratives and proposals for addressing these issues, and it has become a political hot-button issue during this election year.