Center for Comparative Immigration Studies

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The Student Experience

Undergraduates and graduate students both agree that participating in MMFRP had a profound impact on the academic careers. Below are a few reflections by MMFRP alumni, and at the bottom you can find student comments from recent participants.

“The opportunities are few for an undergraduate student attending a prestigious university to be rigorously trained in field research and be able to put it into practice in an actual social setting, as we did. My experience in Tlacuitapa was life-altering and humbling. The personal bonds I built through my interactions with numerous families, children, and abused women who shared their experiences as migrants or victims of immigration will stay with me forever. Their willingness to participate in our research project, their hospitality, and their hope for a better future made this project a true success in my eyes. This experience has changed my view of immigration and deepened my passion to pursue a career in public policy and law in the area of immigration.”

– Anjanette Urdanivia, MMFRP 2004-2005

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“MMFRP is a wonderful program and I would recommend it to anyone interested in Migration Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, or Political Science. The books published yearly are informative and helped us to get a bird’s eye view of what is happening between small towns in Mexico and the U.S. Some of the skills I feel I have walked away with through this program include; improved writing, research, and problem solving skills, better people skills, a greater sense of confidence working on and off the field, and a clearer picture of what is going on around me in terms of immigration and the people it affects.”

– David Pasquini, MMFRP 2008-2009

“As a graduate student, the MMFRP presented me the opportunity to strengthen my field research skills, providing me with a larger toolbox for designing and implementing research and gathering quantitative and qualitative data. Beyond the academic experience, this project allowed for and encouraged the exchange of time, ideas, compassion, and hope not only with Tlacotepenses, but also with other students from UCSD and UABJO who aspire to contribute with the education gained through this experience. We all came to the table with different expectations and levels of experience but collectively emerged with a greater understanding of the experience of migrants and migrants’ families and communities and with a great respect and gratitude for those we met and those we worked with.”

– Elizabeth Perry, MMFRP 2007-2008

Student reflections from MMFRP 2010-2011

Student Reflections from MMFRP 2007-2008

Student Reflections from MMFRP 2008-2009

Read an article by the Chronicle of Higher Education on the MMFRP 2005

Ambort, Chelsea

MMFRP is a wonderful program and I would recommend it to anyone interested in Migration Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, or Political Science. The books published yearly are informative and helped us to get a bird’s eye view of what is happening between small towns in Mexico and the U.S. Some of the skills I feel I have walked away with through this program include; improved writing, research, and problem solving skills, better people skills, a greater sense of confidence working on and off the field, and a clearer picture of what is going on around me in terms of immigration and the people it affects.

David Pasquini