Corredor Interoceánico
Oaxaca, Mexico
During the Fall 2024 semester, I studied abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico, through the School for International Training Migration, Borders, and Transnational Communities program. This program provided me the opportunity to immerse myself in the complexities of migration systems, policies, and the lived experiences of people on the move. Through firsthand experiences, community engagement, and academic coursework, I learned about the intersections of migration, social justice, and public policy in Latin America. I visited migration shelters, spoke with community leaders, and observed the realities of migrants as they navigate systems of displacement and seeking refuge.
I am also incredibly grateful to have received the Gilman Scholarship, which made it possible for me to participate in this invaluable experience. The scholarship has been an essential resource in supporting my study abroad experience, allowing me to gain a deeper understanding of migration and international relations while experiencing a new culture.
Independent Study Project
As part of this program, I worked on a research paper focusing on the impact of government-sponsored megaprojects, specifically the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, on local migration patterns in Oaxaca. My research question centers around understanding how large-scale infrastructure projects influence migration decisions and how they affect indigenous communities in the region.
Through this research, I hope to explore the tension between forced economic development and the displacement of local populations. I aim to understand the ways megaprojects contribute to both the opportunities and challenges faced by communities, particularly those that are already vulnerable.