contact us
  "Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. – Chief Seattle
subscribe to e-newsletter   »
Program Basics
Ecovillage Basics
India - Auroville
Scotland - Findhorn
Brazil - Ecoversidade
USA - Sirius Community
Senegal - EcoYoff (semester)
Senegal - EcoYoff (Jan. term)
Mexico - Huehuecoyotl
Peru - High Amazon
Year Abroad Program
Specific Majors
Future Programs
Sustainability Education
Program Coursework
Our Faculty
Our Students
Download this program info (3MB)

Low res (300k)
Huehuecoyotl is located in the beautiful volcano belt of central Mexico
Huehuecoyotl is located in the beautiful volcano belt of central Mexico. More photos »
Huehuecoyotl is surrounded by ancient trails and national forest, located in the volcano belt of central Mexico, about 50 miles south of Mexico City.
Huehuecoyotl is surrounded by ancient trails and national forest, located in central Mexico, about 50 miles south of Mexico City. More photos »



79 S. Pleasant St. #A5
Amherst, MA 01002
(888) 515-7333
Mexico - Leadership for Social Change at Huehuecoyotl

Overview
Study abroad in Mexico and learn the skills needed to bring a group together around a common vision and effect positive change. Working with "usos y costumbres" (traditional ways of doing things), students assess the needs of the emerging ecovillage at Huehuecoyotl or a neighboring national forest and design and complete a community service project that will benefit those who live in the area. Working in small groups under the guidance of expert faculty, students practice the skills and stories that make responsible leaders effective in formulating and carrying out a successful vision for the future.

In addition, you will be introduced to the values, history and sustainability of both the ecovillage and the surrounding towns of the Tepoztecan mountain region of central Mexico. Optional Spanish language classes are available and there are ample opportunities to build your language skills and explore local culture in the cafes, shops, gathering places and open air markets of neighboring towns.

 

Read the article "Consensus at Huehuecoyotl" in Abroad View Magazine, written by program participant Danielle Connor »

Check out the student weblog »
Browse the photo gallery »

Huehuecoyotl as Ecovillage
Located in the volcano belt of central Mexico, Huehuecoyotl was founded over 20 years ago by a diverse international group of artists and musicians, political activists and ecologists. Since then the community has evolved into a thriving residential community and learning center for permaculture design, consensus process and cross-cultural understanding. Huehuecoyotl is a showcase for green (and beautiful) building and ecological site planning and design. Community members are bilingual (English/Spanish) and opportunities to practice Spanish abound.


Highlights
Visit sites dating from the Aztec empire, the Spanish conquest, the Mexican Revolution and the contemporary fight against globalism and reflect on the cultural implications of these historic phenomena
Under the shadow of Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl volcanos, walk rugged and beautiful mountain trails used for millennia
Visit Xochicalco, Tepoztlan and sights of historic and cultural interest
Enjoy the crafts, theatre and music of indigenous artists from throughout Mexico


Music and theatre are an integral part of community life
Music and theatre are an integral part of community life. More photos »


Course
Leadership for Social Change
UMass CommColl 397I .......... (4 cr.)

Academic Credit
Earn 4 transferable credits through the University of Massachussetts, Amherst
Find out about transferring credits to your home school »

 

View the full curriculum for this program »

Program Dates (subject to change)

January Term
January 4 - 21
Application Deadline: October 31*

*Rolling admissions on a first come first serve basis. Contact us for late availability.

Learn how to apply »

Program at a Glance

Week 1:
Introduction to consensus and effective meeting process
Week 2:
Leadership and communication skills
Week 3:
Integration of skills and community service project
The course contains lectures, discussion, exercises and small group work as well as assignments in reading, writing, design work, portfolio and assessment. Spanish language and field excursions take place throughout the three weeks. Total of 76 contact hours.
Students from all over the U.S. and Latin America come to the Mexican community to study leadership, group facilitation and using the arts for change.
Students from all over the U.S. and Latin America come to the Mexican community to study leadership, group facilitation and using the arts for change. More photos »

Costs

tuition, program costs, room and board, in-country travel .... $2,550

credit... Included


Learn about financial aid options »
Students work in small groups to build skills in leadership and social change.
Students work in small groups to build skills in leadership and social change. More photos »

Faculty
Beatrice Briggs
Ph.D (ABD) History of Religions, University of Chicago Divinity School
MA, Religious Studies, University of Chicago
B.A., English, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

Beatrice is director of the International Institute for Facilitation and Consensus (IIFAC) in Cuernevaca, Mexico, and author of articles on decision-making and group facilitation as well as Introduction to Consensus, a manual used by ecologists and activists around the world. Beatrice leads courses and workshops throughout the Americas. She is a member of Ecovillage Huehuecoytol and is fluent in Spanish and English.

John Gerber
Ph.D., Vegetable Physiology/Agricultural Education/Soil Science, Cornell University
M.S., Vegetable Physiology, Cornell University
B.S., Botany, University of Rhode Island

John is a University of Massachusetts Amherst professor of plant and soil sciences and former dean of the College of Food and Natural Resources, Executive Director, Consortium for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, and former VP of the American Society of Horticultural Science. He teaches courses in Sustainable Agriculture, Plants and the Environment, Dialogue on Agricultural Issues, Agricultural Systems Thinking, and Sustainable Living.

Giovanni Ciarlo
M.A. Linguistics (cand.) Central Connecticut State University
B.A. Education. University of Connecticut

Giovanni is a founding member of Huehuecoyotl, a board member of the Global Ecovillage Network since 2003 and council member of the Ecovillage Network of the Americas since 1999. He is a world-traveled musician and performer working for educational reform through the arts. A member of IIFAC and an experienced Spanish language instructor, Giovanni will lead optional Spanish conversation classes for the group.





(888) 515-7333 or (413) 259-0025
79 S. Pleasant Street, Suite A5, Amherst, MA 01002

Academic Programs  |  Admissions  |  Weblogs & Photos  |  Resources  |  Alumni
Giving  |  About Us  |  Contact Us

© 2005 Living Routes, All rights reserved. Comments or suggestions to webmaster@livingroutes.org.