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Stephen Discepola ’07 (Millville, N.J.) is a double major in economics & business and history.He spent his winter break in Guatemala taking the three-week interim-session course Guatemala: Innovations in Development taught by Mark Crain, Simon Professor of Political Economy and chair of Policy Studies, and Nicole Crain, visiting professor of economics and business. Below is a first-person account of his experiences. Many students share their experience and images of interim-abroad courses in “Through My Eyes, In My Words.”
If I had to sum up my entire experience in Guatemala in one word, I think I’d say “eventful.”
As an economics & business and history double major, you might say I’ve studied “economic development.” But believe me, it’s one thing to read about the developing world’s quest for economic growth … it’s another thing to actually witness it.
Through discussions and lectures (facilitated by the foremost experts in their respective fields), expeditions to wholesale markets and small businesses, and journeys to Mayan ruins, I was able to gain a greater understanding of the current economic situation in Guatemala. I also came to realize that a nation’s culture and history play a vital role in cultivating its economic growth.
In Innovations in Developmentthere was no shortage of interesting and articulate speakers. Pulling from a vast catalogue of relevant experiences, the individuals conducted discussions and lectures on a variety of subjects. As a class we attended presentations on topics ranging from the economic principle of comparative advantage to the ideology of the indigenous population of Guatemala.
I was particularly interested in Glenn Cox’s lecture on Spanish colonialism in Central America. Cox, a professor at Francisco Marroquín University in Guatemala, stressed that the controlling nature of this brand of colonialism has attributed to problems solidifying a truly independent Guatemalan state. I am still amazed at how accessible these noteworthy lecturers were. Not only did every speaker we encountered invite questions from students, but many stuck around for informal lunches and dinners to further discussion and reflection on their topics.
In addition to lectures and discussions – journeys to an array of markets, a socially responsible coffee plantation, and a small, village-run textile operation – served to highlight the wonder of free markets. I found our visit to the La Terminal market in Guatemala City to be the most memorable. While markets in ChiChicastenango and Solola were impressive, I had never seen anything that resembled this wholesale market. To me, the sheer size of the market is a testament to the resilient nature of man.
Without the assistance of the government, sellers in La Terminal have established systems to overcome most of the inherent obstacles to markets. By outsourcing security and creating a representative governing body to deal with market affairs, sellers are able to more efficiently organize their operations, deter theft, and prevent collusion amongst sellers.
While our excursions to markets and businesses throughout Guatemala were interesting in their own right, I feel that our visits to classic and post-classic Mayan ruins stole the spotlight. I’ll never forget touring the reconstructed temples, living quarters, and ball courts of the post-classic Kaqchikel village of Iximche.
Yet, our journey to the classic Mayan city of Tikal may have been the highlight of Innovations in Development. When I was in fourth grade there was a picture of Mayan temples at Tikal on the front cover of my social studies textbook. Needless to say, these marvels are even more impressive in person. Commentary by our tour guides Julio Tot (an expert on wildlife in subtropical rainforests) and Federico Fahsen (famed archaeologist and epigrapher) made this event even more special.
Yes, Innovations in Developmentwas “eventful” indeed. I would highly recommend this interim trip to anyone interested in the economic development, culture, and history of Mesoamerica. And by the way, the pizza in Guatemala City is amazing.