COEHD professors Derek Robertson and Heather Trepal with Elias Zambrano during a visit to Oaxaca, Mexico in 2016.
(June 6, 2017) -- A group of faculty and students from The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) College of Education and Human Development’s (COEHD) Department of Counseling will travel to Mexico this month to learn how to become better counseling professionals.
For nearly two weeks, the group, which will include both school counseling and clinical mental health counseling students, will immerse themselves in the languages and culture of Oaxaca, Mexico, in order to learn about the different ways that potential future clients might experience the world.
“Through a partnership with the Ollin Tlahtoalli Center for Mexican Languages and Cultures, the students will study the Spanish language and attend lectures and activities to help them learn more about the different cultures that exist in Oaxaca,” said Derek Robertson, assistant professor in the UTSA Department of Counseling.
These lectures, Robertson said, will teach the students about indigenous food, languages and cultures, current issues facing children in Oaxaca, and education in rural indigenous villages.
“I think we are most excited about the opportunities for our students to interact with and learn from some of the Zapotec people that we will be visiting in the villages surrounding Oaxaca,” said Robertson. “Our host has a project to help Zapotec children learn and retain their language and culture, and we will attend one of their groups.”
The COEHD students will also have the opportunity to visit local cultural and archaeological sites, such as the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, Santo Domingo Church, Hierve el Agua and Monte Alban.
“We will also meet with a Zapotec indigenous healer,” said Robertson. “This will help our students appreciate the different ways that people conceptualize health, mental health and healing.”
The trip will take place from June 11-23 and is the first study abroad trip the department has offered.
“We are hoping that by providing an opportunity to immerse themselves in a different culture, our students will begin to see their own culture in ways that they may not have before,” said Robertson. “Hopefully they will begin to see that many of their ideas about ‘the way things work’ or ‘the way things ought to be’ are not universal.”
Learn more about the UTSA Deartment of Counseling.
Learn more about the UTSA M.Ed. in School Counseling program.
Learn more about the UTSA M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.
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The Roadrunner community and nearby residents are highly encouraged to cast their votes at UTSA, a designated early voting site for the March 3 Texas presidential primary election.
H-E-B Student Union, Bexar Room (HSU 1.102), Main CampusIf you’re interested in pursuing a career in health care, you won’t want to miss UTSA’s 14th annual Health Professions Day. Meet with representatives of health professions programs at schools such as Texas Tech University Health Science Center, University of Texas Medical Branch, University North Texas Health Science Center, University of the Incarnate Word, and many more. Free and open to UTSA students, local area college and high school students, and community members.
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Durango Building (DB 2.112A), Downtown CampusWhy just leap when you can dash? The Alumni Association’s 36th annual Diploma Dash 5K and City Championship is a great opportunity to run or walk for a great cause: scholarships for UTSA students.
Main CampusStudents are encouraged to attend to obtain important information about Spring Commencement and life after UTSA. Graduating students can order their cap and gown and other items, win prizes and capture lasting memories with fellow Roadrunners at a selfie station. Participants should take a UTSA student ID for entry.
H-E-B Student Union, Ballrooms (HSU 1.104/1.106), Main CampusUTSA’s first Wellbeing Fair is a part of the President’s Initiative of Enriching Campus Wellbeing. UTSA is committed to the well-being of each member of the campus community and recognizes that numerous factors contribute to overall wellness: physical and mental health, diet and nutrition, physical activity, stress management and self-care, social behaviors and more. The fair will give students, faculty and staff an opportunity to participate in well-being activities, obtain well-being information and learn about available services. Participants will become more competent in making healthy decisions to take a more proactive approach in their own well-being.
Paseo Principal, Student Union, Main CampusStudents are encouraged to attend to obtain important information about Spring Commencement and life after UTSA. Graduating students can order their cap and gown and other items, win prizes and capture lasting memories with fellow Roadrunners at a selfie station. Participants should take a UTSA student ID for entry.
Durango Building, El Mercado Room (DB 1.208), Downtown CampusThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
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