Elena Foshay is a third year student in the Masters of Social Welfare/ International and Area Studies dual degree program. She has been in Oaxaca, Mexico conducting an evaluation of a child nutrition program and assisting its strategic planning.

Although Elena had high hopes to be “out and about in the community,” she instead ended up “sitting in front of the computer all day every day” as she evaluated her program’s organizational development. All the same, she frequently tells her contacts, “Si, seria super interesante...”

When not in front of her computer, Elena has been thoroughly impressed by Oaxaca’s food. She tells future travelers not to “leave Oaxaca without going to one of the markets in the nearby pueblos.” Among them, she “recommends eating at Pochote, the organic market on Fridays and Saturdays.” Among Elena’s favorite foods are “fresh tortillas because they go so well with everything and you never get sick of them,” and, unexpectedly, “chicken mole tamales” (Elena’s normally a vegetarian).

Above all, Elena recommends that “balance work with taking care of yourself and having fun… maybe take a class or two in yoga, dance, or cooking.”

To talk to Elena Foshay more about her travels and research you may reach her at efoshay@berkeley.edu