FAQs

Program Schedule
Fees
Dealines
How to contact Alumni
How to contact the Internship Coordinator
List of Alumni Universities
Type of students we look for
Where do I find scholarships?
Lodging
Will I have electricity?
Will I have Internet access?
Will I have insurance?
Safety and Security
About San Miguel
Getting to San Miguel
Early arrival and extended stay
What if I don’t have 3 years of Spanish?
List of Faculty
Community descriptions
How to Apply

-Fees
The fee $2,200 US Dollars (USD) includes:

*Transportation to and from San Miguel de Allende is not included.

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-Dealines
May 20th- Deposit due ($500 with 50$ nonrefundable fee)
June 25th- Final Payment Due

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-How to contact alumni
Please contact the Internship Coordinator by email: intern@globaljusticecenter.org for a list of past participants who are happy to share their experiences with you.

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-How to contact Internship coordinator:
Send an email to intern@globaljusticecenter.org or call 347-983-5084 from the US or 52-415-150-0025 from Mexico

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-List of Alumni Universities
Colorado State University
Barea College
Brooklyn College
California State University Chico
Cenyon College
Grinnell College
DePaul University
Houttep Univeristy, Ankara Turkey
San Diego State University
Smith College
Univeridad Autonoma de Queretaro
Universidad de Alcala de Henares
University of Colorado
Universidad de Guanajuato
University of Michigan
University of Massachusette, Amherts
Univerity of Maryland
University of New Mexico
University of Wiscconsin
Webster University

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-Type of students we look for
The Internship Program of the Center for Global Justice is designed for individuals (eg: University students (undergraduate and graduate), “Gappers”, Pre-career professionals, Mid-career professionals, activists, etc.) who are seeking a unique perspective of our globalizing world from a grassroots level.

We attract participants seeking to:

We attract students that are informed, creative, passionate, and dedicated to social, political, and economic justice. In order to perform well in this internship, participants need to be open to cultural exchange, empathic to other worldviews, flexible to new living experiences, and dedicated to building greater understanding of social change from below. Participants need to be self-motivated while at the same time group oriented and willing to work with a team of others in order to accomplish projects.

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-Were do I find scholarships?
If you are a university student, please contact your Financial Aid Office, Study Abroad Office and speak with your home department. Many of our previous interns received funding this way. Many students also receive credit via independent studies or research credits through their universities.

Additionally, please visit the Study Abroad Funding website which contains a comprehensive database of possible funding opportunities.

The Center for Global Justice has a limited amount of partial scholarships available that are dispersed on a need basis.

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-Lodging:
You will live with host families during your internship, both in San Miguel and in the respective communities during your field experience. These families have been thoroughly screen by CGJ staff. Each student has their own bed, although at times, they may share a room. These accommodations allow full immersion into the local language and culture, while providing a chance to form relationships with your family and community.

While in the field, breakfast, lunch and a dinner are provided by the families. During your time in San Miguel, lunch is provided by the center, but breakfast and dinner are provided by host families.

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-Will I have electricity?
San Miguel and its surrounding communities all have electricity.

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-Will I have internet access?
Not all students will have internet access in their homes. However, there is no shortage of internet cafes in the center of town, as well as in each neighborhood. Average cost is $1 per hour.

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-Will I have insurance?
The Center for Global Justice does not provide medical insurance to interns. AMADEX provides low-cost emergency health insurance for international travelers in Mexico.

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-Safety and Security
We consider safety and security for our interns of utmost importance. Our staff consistently works to ensure interns are safe, supported, and well-educated on issues that affect their well-being. We seek to reduce risks by asking participants to follow recommendations for locally appropriate behavior, exercising sound judgment, and abiding by Global Justice policies and procedures. Despite recent violence along the Mexican border, San Miguel continues to be a safe destination for travelers from all over the globe.

For up-to-date information on traveling in Mexico, please visit the State Department’s information about Mexico.

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-About San Miguel
Founded in 1542, San Miguel, the municipal seat of Allende in the state of Guanajuato, has become one of Mexico’s top destinations for artists, writers, musicians and tourists from around the world. In 2008, San Miguel was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For more information about San Miguel and what it has to offer, please follow this link.

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-Getting to San Miguel
Plane: The aeropuerto del Baijo (airport code: BJX) is served by Continental Airlines, American Airlines, Aeromexico and Delta Airlines. The BJX airport is located 170 km (about 110 miles) from San Miguel, between the cities of Leon and Guanajuato.
A another option is the recently opened Aeropuerto Internacional de Queretaro (airport code: QRO) about 70 km (40 miles) from San Miguel de Allende, is served by Continental Airlines and Aeromexico with once daily direct non-stop flights from Los Angeles (LAX) and Houston (HOU).
A third and more affordable option, is the Benito Juarez Airport (airport code: MEX) in Mexico City, which is about 4 hours from San Miguel de Allende. The Mexico City airport has a larger choice of flights and is served by a broad range international airlines from across the world

Bus: From the Mexico City Airport, you can take a first-class bus on Primera Plus or ETN to Queretaro, then a second-class bus from Queretaro to San Miguel. First class, direct Primera Plus & ETN, buses also leave from the North Terminal (Terminal Norte) in Mexico city. These buses are direct to San Miguel and terminal Norte is only several stops on the subway from the airport.

Alternatively, some travelers pre-arrange private transportation to and from BJX, QRO or MEX airports to San Miguel through a local transportation service. Viajes San Miguel is a reputable company that our students have used in the past. Please visit their website for additional information.

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-Early arrival and extended stay
Visits requested by Interns can be arranged at additional cost and with advance notice to the Global Justice staff.

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-What if I don’t have 3 years of Spanish?
Students are encouraged to arrive early, to take Spanish classes at one of the many language institutes in San Miguel. Students should be prepared to interact with staff, faculty, host families and field-site communities in Spanish. If you feel you might benefit from a language class, please contact the Internship Coordinator for additional information.

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-List of Faculty
Besty Bowman, Center for Global Justice Research Associate
Enrique Caldera, Former Energy Minister of Mexico
Fernando Cuadros, Centro para Estudos Monetarios Latinoamericanos
Gustavo Esteva, Universidad de la Tierra
Rebecca Estrada, Banca Ética
Miguel Limia David, Universidad de Habana
Luis Lopezllera Méndez, Président de Promoción del Desarrollo popular
Chela Martínez, Centro para Desarrollo Agropecuario
Tere Martínez, Centro para Desarrollo Agropecuario
Bob Stone, Center for Global Justice Research Associate
Rene Torres, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. 
Mary Watkins, Pacifica Graduate Institute
Irranzú Garriz, Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas

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-Community description
Peñón de los Baños:

This community is close to the town named Los Rodriguez.  The inhabitants of Peñón are not from the municipality of San Miguel de Allende, the majority of the residents are from Salvatierra and other parts of the southern part of Guanajuato.  The history of this community is very peculiar:  The ejido was formed about 40 years ago.  These lots were granted to ejidadatrios from Mexico City who at the time were living on the lands that are now the airport.  The government granted the lots of Peñón (In Guanajuato) in exchange for making the land available (In DF) so that the Mexico City airport could be constructed.  Those people, who had come from Mexico City (DF), lasted a short time on the new lots because they did not like the place and returned to Mexico City.  The current population is made of 70 families, of which only 40 are ejidatarios, the rest are descendants of these families.    

The ejido has approximately 220 hectares.  Some of these hectares are used for the plantation of grains and crops for animal feeding.   There is a kinder garden and an elementary school; they have water services, electricity, a telephone station as well as bus transportation that comes to the community twice a day.  This is also a milk producing community.  Various people come to that place to buy milk at low prices. The main sources of income are: 1) Cattle breeding (not a very well paid source) the majority of the inhabitants have cows.  2) Incoming money from relatives living in the USA, almost the entire community between the ages of 16 and 30 years of age live abroad and provide their families with some financial help.  3) Agriculture, grains and food for animals.  A great part of the crops make up an important part of the food resources that are consumed in the homes. 

At the end of 2006 the Center for Global Justice becomes acquainted with Peñón and begins a support and work relationship with this community.  New talks begin about a new project (emerging from the community itself) to build greenhouses in order to produce organic tomatoes. Through visits organized by the Center to this community, an interest arises from foreign visitors to support this project and this is how the new first greenhouse was built. 

In this community a new coop “El Pipila Peñón de los Baños, SPR de RL” has been formed.  This coop was formed originally by 6 members. (2 more people are about to join).  With the support from the federal government the coop is now constructing 8 more greenhouses that will produce other organic products.  The role of the Center is to follow up with these projects in Peñón by providing contacts with other groups and organizations in order to provide them with the necessary training and assessment for the coop.

El Moral

This community has existed for about 107 years.  It was a Chichimeca settlement.  The first people who came to this area named it El Moral because there were a lot of berry trees.  The community has currently 1200 inhabitants, 330 families of which 100 are ejidatarios who harvest corn, beans, and other grains as well as food for animals.  All of these products are seasonal.  These locally grown products help to provide food for the local homes.  The community has running water services, electricity, a telephone station and bus transportation which comes 4 times a day. They have a kinder garden, elementary school and middle school.  The main sources of income are: 1) Money coming from relatives living in the USA 2) Jobs outside the community especially in Querétaro and San Miguel de Allende. 3) Agriculture of grains and food for the families, some exceeding products are sold within the community. 

Currently there is a sewing cooperative which was started 10 years ago with 25 members of which only 7 remain a part of the coop.  This coop generates a small source of work for these families who make school uniforms as well as woman’s clothing. There is also another coop which is a grocery store and is formed by 4 members. 

During the last months of the year 2006, the Center for Global Justice became acquainted with this community as well as with the coop “La Trinidad”.  At this point a relationship of support and work was established. Through the visits that the Center started in “El Moral” a special interest emerged from foreigners to support this woman’s coop.  This interest to support culminated in the donation of funds to purchase a vehicle to facilitate the sale of their products in other places.

Cieneguilla.

San Idelfonso de Cieneguilla, located in the municipality of Tierra Blanca is located in the Sierra Gorda in a mountainous area.  Cieneguilla was founded in the year of 1536 and it’s formed of 19 communities.  This area was and still is inhabited by Chichimecas and Otomíes.  It is currently recognized as one of the few indigenous regions where the traditional and the modern mix. The survival of their spiritual and collective traditions, as well as their form of congregational government distinguishes this place from any other place.  This community is characterized by the artistic ability of their people that is part of the work that provides them with the daily necessary sustenance elements to live.  Some of the items that are built here are woven baskets and mats that are made of (carrizo) a type of bamboo as well as other types of fibers.  Their main income sources are: 

Currently in Cieneguilla there are groups of woman that continue      working in the production of baskets and other bamboo products.  One of these groups is recognized for staying together and working as a coop as well as fighting to maintain their local artisan presence.

In Cieneguilla there are a few groups of women that still continue to work in the elaboration of baskets as well as other products made of carrizo. (a type of bamboo); one of these groups that is formed of 15 women, joined the organization Mujeres Productoras and its recognized by having maintained a unified structure and for continuing to struggle to keep working as a group in a coop as well as for their efforts to have a local presence that is identified by their artisan work.  It is through this organization that the Center for Global Justice in the year of 2004 begins a relationship with the community of Cieneguilla.  This group of women has been invited to participate in congresses, fairs and other projects.  Currently, through the field trips that are organized by the Center, this women’s organization has received some support to follow up with their projects.  One of the projects is the innovation of continuing to work with carrizo in furniture as well as in other utilitarian products.  

CEDESA

The city of Dolores Hidalgo was founded in (1643).  The main activity in Dolores is tourism and the production of ceramic arts.  There are more than 2000 workshops that produce mainly talavera.
 
CEDESA, also known as Centro de Desarrollo Agropecuario, started as civil association in 1965 with the hopes to fulfill the ideas and needs of the youth and peasant communities of the region located in the north of the state of Guanajuato. This association is the outcome of the work performed by the work of church representatives in the rural areas supported by the Secretariado Social Mexicano (SSM) through the Secretariados Sociales Diocesanos. (Social, Catholic Bureau)

CEDESA is currently an association of people who gather their will as a group with the objective of contributing to the integral development of the peasant communities in the north of Guanajuato through the processes of training, learning and management of their projects.  Their goals are to strengthen their identity and their abilities to produce as well as to attain the necessary knowledge to analyze situations in order to make autonomous decisions.        

In 2004 the Center for Global Justice through the organization Mujeres Productoras, became acquainted with the work of CEDESA.  The Center invited this group to participate in congresses and projects.  Through the visits that the Center organizes to CEDESA, a working and information network with other communities has emerged, especially with communities that are working towards the same goals and who believe that another world is possible for the common well being. 

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-How to Apply

Please send to intern@globaljusticecenter.org by April 15, 2009 (visit the Deadlines section of the webpage):
1) a letter of interest (no more than 700 words)
2) a resume
3) a letter of recommendation

When we receive your application, we will contact within a week to set-up a phone interview in Spanish.  All acceptance letters will be mailed the 25th of April.

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