Students visit from Loyola University, Chicago USA

May, 2024

I added a visit to Xochimilco as part of a week-long immersion migration studies course I taught in Mexico City with my colleague Dra. Diana Franco earlier this year. Twelve students from the Master of Social Work program at Loyola University Chicago and my colleague participated in this profound and spiritual experience in Xochimilco. We learned about the history of the Xochimilca people, their connection to the land, and their ongoing struggle to bring back indigenous ways of farming and efforts to save the ancient Xochimilco canals. Spending time with Xochimilca elder Doña Susana Marina Sandoval was exceptional; her wisdom, love for the earth, and care for the younger generation was profound and spiritual. Often, the spiritual dimension is left out of graduate academic courses. The visit to Xochimilco’s chinampa region balanced our rigorous week-long immersion migration course by nurturing a spiritual connection to the land, humanity, and each other. 

Thank you, Chinampa Temachtiani!  

Loyola University Chicago, Master of Social Work Program: Immersion migration studies course in Mexico City. Dr. Francisco Javier Lozornio. 

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