World View's study visit to Mexico immersed participants in the cultures, history, values, languages and lifestyles of Mexico in order to: 

Participants are expected to apply learnings, insights, and observations from the study visit in their work as educators and administrators.

Twenty-five North Carolina educators traveled in Mexico from June 15-28, 2002, visiting: 

The group included educators and administrators from twelve counties:

Twenty participants' travel costs were paid by county school systems or community colleges or schools, four participants were self-supported, and a Kellogg grant sponsored one participant.  World View's planning, administrative and coordination costs were funded from World View's operating budget. 

To prepare for the study visit, most participants attended a mid-March, World View-sponsored seminar on Hispanics/Latinos in the Carolinas and a dinner meeting for briefings and to receive information packets.  Other participants were briefed individually.  World View collected passport and contact information in case of emergency during the study visit, as well as other data that were used in a GroupView booklet, with a photo and short biodata for each participant.  During May and June, frequent e-mails and occasional mailings from World View to participants maintained a steady line of communication about study visit details, information requirements, health insurance coverage, the itinerary, and departure information. 

Starting in October, World View collaborated with the local host for the Cuernavaca and Mexico City itinerary, Cemanhuac Educational Community in Cuernavaca, and starting in December with Nancy Park and COBAO (Colegio de Bachilleres de Oaxaca).  These hosts scheduled local itineraries and arranged for accommodations and group meals, local transport, guides, and on-site information and background briefings.  Expomexico in Mexico City provided transport from Mexico City to Tehuacan.  Round trip Raleigh Durham/Mexico City air travel and the flight from Oaxaca to Mexico City was arranged by Exito in Oakland, California, specializing in Latin American travel. 

World View and the Mexico Study Visit Group extend appreciation and thanks to our colleagues who briefed participants on March 12, and to our local sponsors, guides and subject experts, drivers, teachers, principals and directors, community leaders, artisans and others who brought Mexico into focus by generously sharing their ideas, thoughts, perceptions and observations about Mexican family and community life, religious values, history and regional differences, education, politics, cultural and social norms, and Mexico's future.