From Professional Life to Building on Our Passion for Mexico and its Culture
Welcome. My name is Susan Carlson. My husband and I want to introduce to you the culture and language of Mexico. We want you to know about our backgrounds; to feel confident in us; and to trust to make that introduction meaningful, safe and enjoyable.
We have extensive experience in travel and business in Mexico. My connection to the culture began with my studies of Spanish throughout high school and college, and continued when I did my student teaching. As a teacher in a primarily Mexican immigrant neighborhoods, I saw firsthand the importance of connecting parents and family to the educational process and that happened thanks to knowing and using the language.
That was the beginning but just the beginning. In every job throughout my career, knowing Spanish was a benefit. It opens doors. I know the power of public outreach. I have engaged with parents and citizens and know it begins with understanding community culture. I love the language, the people, the culture and the country and I love sharing it with others.
Bill is a former city councilman, founder and president of the Longmont, Colorado Sister Cities Association. As an importer, he worked with producers of tequila and pulque (a little-known ancient Aztec beverage) and is experienced in creating relationships and doing business in Mexico. He knows the importance of perceptions and gaining insights into the culture and because of our long-time experiences with the Sister City organizations, we have seen how culture-to-culture interactions change lives.
We’ve created several ways to get face-to-face with the culture and to build and improve skills with the Spanish language. With our business partner in Mexico, we’ve created professional development through immersion as a capacity-building strategy. We also offer an Immersion Excursion - an opportunity to brush up Spanish, then visit San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato and a Pueblo Mágico.
We believe a key to success in communities and with customers is understanding the Mexican culture, its language and its people. We know that building trusting relationships is foundational. Every opportunity has resulted in new insights and learning. The following are just a few past experiences. We are eager to share with you and invite you to join us!
We have extensive experience in travel and business in Mexico. My connection to the culture began with my studies of Spanish throughout high school and college, and continued when I did my student teaching. As a teacher in a primarily Mexican immigrant neighborhoods, I saw firsthand the importance of connecting parents and family to the educational process and that happened thanks to knowing and using the language.
That was the beginning but just the beginning. In every job throughout my career, knowing Spanish was a benefit. It opens doors. I know the power of public outreach. I have engaged with parents and citizens and know it begins with understanding community culture. I love the language, the people, the culture and the country and I love sharing it with others.
Bill is a former city councilman, founder and president of the Longmont, Colorado Sister Cities Association. As an importer, he worked with producers of tequila and pulque (a little-known ancient Aztec beverage) and is experienced in creating relationships and doing business in Mexico. He knows the importance of perceptions and gaining insights into the culture and because of our long-time experiences with the Sister City organizations, we have seen how culture-to-culture interactions change lives.
We’ve created several ways to get face-to-face with the culture and to build and improve skills with the Spanish language. With our business partner in Mexico, we’ve created professional development through immersion as a capacity-building strategy. We also offer an Immersion Excursion - an opportunity to brush up Spanish, then visit San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato and a Pueblo Mágico.
We believe a key to success in communities and with customers is understanding the Mexican culture, its language and its people. We know that building trusting relationships is foundational. Every opportunity has resulted in new insights and learning. The following are just a few past experiences. We are eager to share with you and invite you to join us!
Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico - Educators, Business - Groups of educators and business representatives travel with us to one of the safest states in Mexico. We've developed the curriculum for two weeks of study of language and culture with our Mexican partners. Ongoing.....
Xochimilco, México - Educators - A sight-seeing trip for a study group of teachers and administrators from the Adams 12 School District, Northglenn, Colorado. We facilitated study at a language school in Cuernavaca, Morelos.
Ciudad Guzmán (Zapotlán el Grande), Jalísco, México - City Council - Meeting with regidores (council members) of a newly established city-to-city partnership between Longmont, Colorado and Ciudad Guzmán, to sign official agreements as Sister Cities. We coordinated and hosted several exploratory trips to Cd. Guzmán to assure a good match between the cities, arranged the final signings, then created a volunteer organization in Longmont to support exchange activities which includes students and chaperones. The relationship celebrated 25 years in 2017.
Teotihuacån, México - Educators and Business - A visit to the ancient pyramids for a study group including executives from Intel and from Northern Arizona University. We facilitated study at a language school in Cuernavaca, Morelos.
Puebla, México - Tourists interested in business, retirement - Introducing Puebla, Mexico to a travel group from Oregon, Arizona and Switzerland. We hosted the group to learn more about Mexico for opportunities in business, advanced studies and retirement.
Puebla, México - Business - Business partners met with a researcher and the executive director from the National Polytechnic Institute on product development for export to the US.
Tlaxcala, México - University Students - SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) from University of Arizona met with students in the University of Tlaxcala, to initiate the founding of a SIFE, Tlaxcala club. We facilitated an international business experience for the SIFE students, with Mexican business partners in Puebla, including a homestay with Puebla Rotary.