Slower and Fairer- A Cultural Exchange in Oaxaca Mexico


    In this program I engaged in an exchange of knowledge and techniques with local artisans in Oaxaca, Mexico as part of a VCU Study Abroad with a group of fellow VCU students, led by VCU’s Prof. Diego .We traveled to places such as Santo Tomas Jalieza, San Antonino Castillo Velasco, Teotitlan Del Valle, and Oaxaca City Center. At these respective locations our VCU study abroad group received demonstrations from local artisans and designers which included them sharing their knowledge of their craft,their experiences with starting and maintaining a brand, and how the twists and turns of life led them on the path they are on today. In San Pedro Cajonos we had the most unique experience to be fully immersed in the process of ancestral silk craft, from insect egg to finished product.





    I had the opportunity to live with and create bonds with the artisans, and these bonds allowed me to engage in an exchange of culture and information that I will carry with me for a lifetime.I engaged in hands-on workshops side by side with the artisans to be fully immersed in their craft and their way of life. My experience transcended culture and language barriers and created a unique exchange and memories that will last a lifetime.


    The embodiment of this experience came in the form of being fully immersed in the way of life of the artisans. Since we were living in their homes, the artisans' lifestyle became ours for those weeks that we stayed in San Pedro Cajonos. The learning did not end when we finished the workshops and went to our respective lodgings for the day.  
    We continued to receive knowledge of a different way of life and culture. We learned about different foods and their purpose as medicine, how involved a process it truly is to care for the silkworms, and we learned how to adapt to a slower paced lifestyle. Specifically referring to the act of caring for the silkworms, it is an ongoing process with work to be done day and night, and is more of a lifestyle than a job.  This type of learning experience is truly one of the most involved and hands on possible.

   
 In a final conversation with the artisans, our VCU group had the opportunity to engage in active listening, to ask them their feelings on the experience as a collective and hear their thoughts on the experience of sharing culture and knowledge. The artisans shared prior to our arrival they felt scared when they decided to accept us into their lives. They didn’t know how we would act or if they would be able to communicate with us. They were delighted to find that despite the language barrier they felt they were able to be understood by us, to share knowledge and culture. This demonstrates an important takeaway; listening is not only done with one's ears. Paying attention to the experience and nonverbal communication is an important aspect of listening that facilitates the positive experience in this case.