Borderlands Trip

The US-Mexico border is a liminal space that entangles a wide range of human experiences. It is a place where contradictions manifest on a daily basis: the histories of two radically different countries intersect yet also obscure indigenous legacies, people’s fears and aspirations coalesce in inspirational stories of survivance and resilience, and multiple understandings of landscape and environment are constituted at the same time. The tensions that emerge create a site of extraordinary cultural production, even if current narratives of the borderlands obscure this complicated reality. This program creates a unique firsthand opportunity to experience, trace, and document this vibrancy in a way that represents the core values of a Liberal Arts education.

More specifically, the Borderlands trip invites students to explore the realities of migration and community life along the U.S.-Mexico border through art, language, and social justice. Students will engage directly with migrant communities, humanitarian organizations, artists, and activists in Tucson and Nogales. The goals of the program are to deepen cross-disciplinary learning, to create thoughtful reflection on cultural and political contexts, and to share with the broader Carleton community insights and products that capture the value of insights generated through collaborative projects and advocacy. This program is open to all enrolled Carleton sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in participating.

Focus

• Explore migration through the lens of art, language, and social justice.
• Foster interdisciplinary collaboration and reflection on the cultural, social, and historical contexts of the U.S.-Mexico border.
• Strengthens and connects interdisciplinary dialogue between the academic and student life divisions of the college.

Program Objectives

1. Cultural Engagement: To understand the cultural identities of border communities through art and language.
2. Social Justice Awareness: To examine the impact of border policies on human lives.
3. Creative Expression: To use art and language to reflect on and document the border experience.
4. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: To promote dialogue and connections between students interested in Art and Spanish as well as opportunities and programming available through the college’s Division of Inclusion, Equity and Community.

This is a non-credit program.

Eligibility:

• Open to all enrolled Carleton sophomores, juniors, and seniors from any major, including undeclared majors.
• Limited to 10 students (competitive selection).
• Students with an interest in art, language, migration, social justice, or any cross-disciplinary collaboration are encouraged to apply.
• Applicants must have a valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond the travel dates.

Commitments:
Selected students must:

• Participate fully in all trip activities, discussions, and reflections.
• Contribute to a post-trip campus presentation/exhibit.
• Uphold respect, empathy, and Carleton’s community standards throughout the program.

What to expect in the application process:

• Students will be required to complete an application (below).
• The review committee will select an initial group of applicants.
• Selected applicants will participate in an interview with the selection committee.
• Students chosen for the program will be formally notified.
• Selected students must confirm their participation.
• All confirmed participants will be required to attend pre-departure orientation sessions.

Apply here!

Info Session: Wednesday, January 14 (week 2) at 4:30 PM in LDC 104.