The Coalition for Regenerative Ecologies and Agriculture (CREA) Study Abroad Program is part of a new joint effort between St. Philip's College (SPC) and The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) to establish a transnational collective that will support regenerative ecological and agricultural practices with farms and organizations based in both San Antonio, Texas and Veracruz, Mexico.
Overview
Veracruz is Mexico's oldest, largest, and most significant port city. It is the site where Hernán Cortés first made contact with the Americas in 1519; where enslaved peoples from Africa first arrived in Mexico; and where a coalition of enslaved African and Indigenous peoples rebelled and established one of the first free communities in the Americas.
Today, it is a region characterized by a blend of cultures from Indigenous, Spanish, and Afro-Caribbean sources, which is particularly found in culinary, cultural, and artistic expressions. As an agricultural powerhouse, Veracruz State is the number one national producer of beef, eggs, and citrus. This production has severely impacted the native peoples and ecosystems, especially through deforestation for farming. As one of the most biodiverse states in Mexico, regenerative agriculture and ecology has gained significant traction in the past 20 years, and now Veracruz has some of the most emblematic regenerative projects in the Americas.
Through a six-week program (two weeks in San Antonio, followed by four weeks in Veracruz, Mexico), students will gain technical knowledge and skills in:
- Regenerative agriculture (vetiver systems, agroforestry, permaculture, beekeeping, keyline design, composting)
- Benefits of regenerative agriculture related to wildlife biodiversity (with emphasis on birds, water and soil quality and ecosystem health)
- Community engaged methodologies (ecocultural, Indigenous, and intersectional qualitative research praxis)
- Field and digital field methods (drones, photovoltaics, cameras/photogrammetry, soundscapes, field wildlife biology)
Students will also have the opportunity to participate in field trips to archaeological museums, Temazcal sweat lodges, laguna kayaking/boating/fishing, swimming in beaches and springs, traditional fandango gatherings, and more.
Participation Requirements
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Must have at least 12 cumulative academic credits
- Commitment to attending in-country intercambios/exchanges
- Commit to producing and/or contributing to research projects
- Enrolled as a part-time or full-time undergraduate or graduate student at UTSA or SPC
Study abroad participants are expected to perform academically at standards commensurate with on-campus performance. This includes attending class before, during, and after the scheduled program, per program and faculty requirements. Students are also expected to take exams, read required materials, complete homework, etc. If the student's GPA drops below a 2.0, or if they have not completed 12 credit hours by the time of the program's scheduled semester, they will not be allowed to participate in the study abroad program. Please see the Make the Grade Policy for more information.
Study Abroad Benefits and Participation Requirements
- The course and the study abroad program will fully fund all accepted students including tuition/fees, flights/travel, lodging, and programmatics.
- The program will not exceed more than 12 students.
- All students must have their U.S. passports by May 15th, 2024, or they will forfeit their place on the study abroad trip.
- The study abroad program will be field-based (staying on farms and in rural areas of Veracruz with community partners) and participants must be willing and prepared to engage in many outdoor activities.
How to Apply
Complete and submit the online application. Questions? Email Dr. King-Kostelac.
Apply to CREA Study Abroad Program
Complete and submit the online application.
Testimonials
Check out CREA Study Abroad Program student and partner testimonials.
