Cultural Immersion Trip 
Each year Puentes/Bridges conducts a 10-day “cultural immersion” trip to rural Mexico. The trip is open to farmers or others who employ Mexican workers, to University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and River Falls students in agricultural or related majors, and interested law enforcement, medical, church, and education personnel.

The trip includes visits to a variety of farms, as well as to historical and archeological sites. Lectures and tours are conducted by experts in Mexican culture, history, and immigration issues. Participants then have a three-day stay with a Mexican host family while attending intensive Spanish language classes during the day. Lastly, the group visits the families of the employees of one or more trip participants.

“They were waiting for us, dressed in their very best clothes, and they started taking pictures as soon as we stepped out of the van. We went down a steep bank to the house, where maybe two dozen parents, aunts, uncles, wives, kids, and neighbors seated us in the spotless house and served an elaborate meal. I couldn’t understand what they said, but there were some tears. Shaun said later they were saying how much they missed their sons and husbands, how grateful they were to John (who employed the men), and how the government gave them no help. Then we went for a walk, led by all the kids in their Sunday best . . .”
- Ann Hansen, 2004 Puentes/Bridges trip participant

The cost of the trip is approximately $2,000 per person, depending on current ticket prices and the availability of outside funding. Cost includes air fare from Minneapolis/St. Paul International airport, all lodging, tours, lectures, and classes, and some meals.

“The trip was a fun-filled, educational, and emotional 10 days . . . The Mexican culture is a beautiful mix of old and new and one from which we can learn much. This trip provided me with a unique experience that I will never forget.”
- Susan Nagy, 2003 Puentes/Bridges trip participant