You’ve heard about immigration. You’ve heard about international trade agreements. You’ve heard about genetically modified crops. Now imagine a class that takes you almost 1,900 miles to meet people working on those issues—from the other side of the border.

Raza Studies course 670, “The U.S.-Mexico Connection: Peoples, Politics and Cultures” does exactly that. And the most recent class to visit Mexico has returned to share their experiences.

In May and June of this year, Raza Studies Professor Teresa Carrillo and 10 of her students spent 12 days in Mexico meeting activists engaged in a variety of social, political, and economic issues.

“Mexico is one of the greatest places on Earth for biodiversity,” said Kahlin Wolf, a Communications Studies major in the class.

Wolf added that commercial trends in the United States can have a negative impact south of the border. She pointed to the agave plant as an example. While many varieties are native to Mexico, she said, some are disappearing due to overproduction of other types of agave—for tequila sold in the U.S.

According to the students, it’s not just plants that suffer.

“In 1994, when the Mexican government enacted NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), it caused a lot of poverty,” said Claudia Reynoso, a student who went on the tour. “Only a small percentage of Mexicans were reaping the benefits of free trade.”

International Relations major Sughey Aguilar-Gomez also pointed to the benefits of the hands-on class.

“I’m always hearing about neoliberalism and free trade,” said Aguilar-Gomez. “But talking to people who’ve been affected by it is completely different.”

Neoliberalism refers to an economic trend of privatization, the removal of tariffs, and other laissez-faire market policies.

Class members also met representatives from organizations that work toward expanding rights and options for Mexico’s residents.

“In Mexico, the topic of sexual rights is very hard to discuss,” said Luis Silva, an International Relations and Political Science double major.

Organizations such as the Grupo de Informacion en Reproduccion Elegida (GIRE, Information Group on Reproductive Choice) are doing exactly that, the students said. GIRE was involved in the recent and successful effort to decriminalize abortion in Mexico City.

The class also met with Sin Fronteras (Without Borders), a migrant worker rights organization, Comercio Justo (Just Commerce/Fair Trade), a fair trade advocacy group, and other organizations.

Raza Studies 670 is offered regularly, with one trip to Mexico per semester. To participate in the tour, you must be a student registered in the course and in the College of Extended Learning. Students in the class are not required to go on the trip, and those who choose to go must raise at least $200.