Me at Monte Albán in Oaxaca.

Author: Bailey Scoggins | Major: Biochemistry | Semester: Summer 2023

Studying abroad is one of the best things you can do to expand your worldview, improve your language skills, and advance your degree plan. The Puebla Service-Learning Program stood out to me for three main reasons: México is a Spanish-speaking country, it’s a summer term program, and there is an aspect of community involvement with my internship. With a minor in Spanish, this program allowed me to gain six hours of credit to apply towards my degree plan. The additional credit during the summer term has saved me time during the regular fall and spring sessions to continue pursuing my honors degree in biochemistry.

I chose a minor in Spanish because it is the second most spoken language globally. After college, I would like to be a forensic scientist, which would most likely involve a government-based position. Being bilingual is a great way to stand out to employers and to reach a larger audience in the workplace. During my time in México, my Spanish skills have drastically improved. At first, I struggled and was not confident in my ability to hold a conversation. However, the immersion aspect of the program forced me to practice as much as possible. From ordering food at restaurants to interacting with coworkers, I was met with a healthy challenge every day.

Me helping our boss, Salvador, build a climbing wall for our playground.

The class I took focused on the Spanish language and the education system in México. Everything was super hands-on, which was much different from my class experience at UARK. Our class only had seven people in it, which allowed for a laid-back but collaborative environment to learn Spanish. However, my internship was one of my favorite parts of this experience. The MAJOCCA Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Puebla that primarily provides aid to other organizations for community service projects. There were four interns from UARK and one from Puebla; we worked together to design and build a playground from recycled tires at an indigenous elementary school in the outskirts of Puebla. Seeing the kids enjoy the finished project was an extremely rewarding moment for myself and the other interns.

Art made from painted straw found at the base of El Popo.

Each weekend, we traveled to a different part of México to explore the local culture, such as Cholula, Oaxaca, Cuetzalan, and México City. My favorite was our day in Cholula, where we visited the Great Pyramid of Cholula, or Tlachihualtepetl. There is also a beautiful church on top of the pyramid called La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios that is decorated with countless paintings and pure gold inside. Our tour guide explained to us the significance of the pyramids, the church, and legends behind each. At the bottom of the pyramid, there was a man who creates art made from straw found at the bottom of Popocatépetl (a.k.a. “El Popo”), an active volcano located near Puebla. That artform is only done by a few families in the area and is passed down through generations. As our first outing of our time in México, Cholula made for the perfect introduction to its rich culture and daily life.

I would absolutely recommend the Puebla Service-Learning Program to any students studying Spanish at UARK. While I have thoroughly enjoyed my time abroad, I have some words of wisdom to pass on to other students:

1. 1. It will take time to get adjusted to your new reality, mentally and physically.
2. Don’t be afraid to practice your new language, even if you make mistakes.
3. Be respectful of the culture; locals will greatly appreciate it.

While I have thoroughly enjoyed my time abroad, I am ready to bring my new experiences and improved language skills back home and integrate them into my daily life and future career