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Tell us about your research project and why it is important to you.
The phenomenon of transnational migration consists of regular migratory flows between two or more countries. This migration has influenced the history of both Mexico and the United States. My project focuses on analyzing the life experiences of teachers with a background of transnational migration in order to explore their identities and their knowledge. My project takes a comparative perspective that includes teachers with such backgrounds on both sides of the US-Mexico border.
By better understanding the perspectives and experiences of teachers with a history of transnational migration, the aim is to improve the school adaptation process of students who embark on similar migration practices.
This project is important to me because it stems from my personal experience of having to adapt to a different educational system in an unfamiliar place. My interest in giving a voice to students and teachers whose lives have been impacted by transnational migration is a result of this experience.
Have you presented or published your research anywhere? Tell us about the experience.
My area of study, the transnational migration phenomenon and its impact on education, has been a subject that has interested me since my undergraduate studies, continuing with my master's, and now at the doctoral level. My first academic publication came out at the end of my undergraduate studies, after attending my first international conference.
I really enjoyed the experience of exchanging and sharing points of view. This process motivated me to continue attending national and international conferences and seminars and to enrich myself with different perspectives. Since then I have contributed to the academic dialogue with different publications within my area of interest.
Sharing my perspectives through my publications has been an enriching experience. Being open to different points of view helps foster a more critical vision within our academic work.
What would you say is something interesting about your area of study that most people do not know?
An interesting aspect of my area of study is the human capital that the transnational migrant person can obtain as a result of their migratory practices and life history. These resources (linguistic, social, cultural) allow them to interact with different people and to perform in different social contexts. Recently, academics have started putting an emphasis on these resources and recognizing them as a strength rather than a deficiency.
Another interesting aspect is the creation of safe spaces. These spaces can be formed naturally, when transnational migrants meet, or as a result of the need of transnational migrants to find a safe space free of oppression in which to live together.
Tell us about your academic or professional collaborations with Mexico.
I am in close communication with the University of Guanajuato, my alma mater. It is an honor for me to have had mentors such as Dr. Irasema Mora-Pablo, Dr. Troy Crawford, and Dr. Martha Lengeling. I have great respect for their academic work, which shares the voices and experiences of transnational and return migrants in the state of Guanajuato and surrounding areas.
Being able to maintain that close communication with the University of Guanajuato and being able to attend conferences and academic seminars has allowed me to establish academic ties with different universities in Mexico. I have had the joy of contributing to the academic dialogue with professors from the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP). I have also had the pleasure of meeting and engaging in academic dialogue with professors from the Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP), the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), the Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas (UAT), the Universidad Veracruzana (UV) and the Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca (UABJO).
What drew you to Texas and UT El Paso?
What attracted me to the Ph.D. program in Teaching, Learning, and Culture (TLC) at UTEP was its cultural richness. The border area has a very particular cultural and linguistic richness. It is an ideal place to explore aspects related to cultural interaction, language learning and development, as well as different social and educational aspects. I chose to specialize in the sociocultural approach to education since it allows me to explore how interaction between people plays an important role in the learning process and leads to better social coexistence.
What have been some good things you did not expect from Texas or UT El Paso?
Texas and El Paso have been very welcoming. UTEP has a diverse student body and a large number of Latinx students, which promotes coexistence and an academic environment free of prejudices. Something special that I did not expect from UTEP is how the use of different languages is promoted. Many of the teachers are bilingual and promote bilingualism in and out of the classroom. The interest of teachers in social justice helps students appreciate their own culture and strengthens collaborations with different cultures.
What have been the biggest challenges of studying at UT El Paso and living in the United States?
The biggest challenge was the uncertainty of the COVID pandemic. I remember starting my program in the fall of 2020, right at the peak of the pandemic. I think UTEP did a great job prioritizing the health of the community and implementing the necessary measures and accommodations.
How has the support of ConTex and Conahcyt impacted you?
I am extremely grateful for the support of ConTex and Conahcyt. Their support has been very helpful and has allowed me to have peace of mind without having to worry about my financial situation. I have also received feedback on my project and suggestions about different options to connect with other academics at conferences, seminars, and through academic publications.
What kind of work do you hope to do in the future? How do you hope your research will benefit people in the United States and Mexico?
I would like to continue working as a teacher and researcher. I would like to keep researching transnational migration and contributing to the academic dialogue. I believe that my research can help teachers, both in the United States and in Mexico, to be trained and ready to deal with the new reality of transnational migrants. My research can also contribute to a better insertion and integration of transnational students into both educational systems.
What advice would you give to other Mexican students who are considering studying in Texas?
The University of Texas System has a lot of resources, including excellent professors and multiple prestigious institutions. My main advice to Mexican students considering studying in Texas would be to prepare. English is essential, mainly to contribute to the academic dialogue. Entrance exams also require studying. Good preparation can help you make better decisions. An additional tip would be to get in touch with professors and students in the program of interest to start creating networks that can be of help in the future.
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