Reflections of Baja

Cian Contos
Laramie HS, Laramie, WY
2024 Student Diplomacy Corps Baja Mexico Program

The single best thing to happen to me this summer in Mexico was befriending everyone on the program. I don’t often talk to people as much as I have during this month in Baja, Mexico.  It has helped me overcome social fears I have. This whole program was out of my comfort zone, and I appreciate that. Coming out of my comfort zone allowed me to reallocate my views, and enjoy this entire experience more.

One surprise to me was discovering an artistic appreciation. I am not artistically inclined, but spending time sketching with ecologists at Cabo Pulmo nature preserve surrounded by miles of beach with only wildlife and now humans, I realized that I actually enjoy focusing myself in the work and attention to detail that drawing requires. I like to imagine myself as someone who pays close attention to the small things around me. I realized that paying attention to what is right in front of me in the ecology is just as important as remembering broader issues, if not more important. I am glad our leaders had our group use sketching as a tool for learning this summer.

My SDC group, I must admit, was surprising at first. I was the only white person in my group, and I’m from Wyoming, no less. This new experience was a very good thing because not only did I get to experience Mexican culture, I got to experience a more complete form of American culture from students my age.

I really loved learning from the local Mexican experts everywhere we went.  I was fascinated by how much they knew. Especially the Mexican scientist who traveled with us, Victor Manuel Tinoco Camacho.  He seemed to know not only about the marine life, but also a lot about the science of the desert. The way he explained it made it easier to understand, too. For example, when asked about why manta rays jump, he provided a detailed explanation about how they do it to clean off parasites. It was all these little answers to my question that really seasoned the program, because like everyone in my group, I came to learn new things and stretch myself, and of course have fun along the way. Learning about estuaries and endemic species, like the fishing bat really stuck with me. I know I might not need this info in the future, but it was very interesting to me. I am thinking of going to college to become an engineer, and I hope the new knowledge I learned about deserts and marine biology can somehow translate into my career in engineering.

Thank you SDC for a great experience to explore waters, deserts, Spanish language, new ideas and cultures while making great friends with my group and our Mexican host families.