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Learning about Culture from the Inside Out

There’s no better way to learn about a culture than to experience it for yourself. That’s what four Virginia Cooperative Extension agents and professor emeritus Ike Eller did recently on a Rotary Group Study Exchange to Mexico.

Virginia’s Hispanic population continues to grow, particularly in the agricultural industry. In looking for ways to help agents understand the language and the culture, Extension Director Mark McCann was pleased when the Rotary program was brought to his attention. “It was an opportunity for our agents to experience the culture first-hand,” McCann said. “Rather than study the language and culture from a textbook, these agents lived it for five weeks.”

The agents, Sherry Channell of Dinwiddie; Amanda Grau of Lexington; Crystal Smith of Warren; and Jon Vest of Floyd, remarked that the time they spent living with individual host families was the most rewarding part of the learning experience. “We witnessed the strong family structure and sense of community in the Mexican culture,” said Smith. The agents were also exposed to everyday Spanish language, often in a situation where the families did not speak English at all. “Being immersed in Mexico for five weeks definitely created culture shock, but it also helped me understand their way of life,” commented Channell.

The group learned about the agriculture industry in Mexico by visiting private farms and university facilities, and some were surprised to see the extent of the use of modern agricultural practices, particularly in the commercial vegetable/fruit industry and the dairy industry. “I returned with an appreciation for Mexico’s agricultural production, and the role that agriculture plays in generating community economic development,” said Vest. “Agriculture has a impact on even the smallest family’s quality of life.”

Virginia residents have already benefited from this cultural experience. Agents have given briefings to interested community members and peers and conducted summer camp programs to teach youth about Mexican culture. Grau remarked, “Many of the youth I work with have little opportunity to travel or explore different cultures. I hope that by sharing my experiences with them, I can help foster a greater appreciation of cultural diversity.”