My experience as an International Student here at the College of St. Benedict and St. John\u27s University has given me an opportunity to widen my perspective on world issues. In addition to this, I have been able to experience how Mexico is viewed by my fellow students. I have found both enlightening ideas and misconstrued beliefs. In this thesis I have incorporated theory, fact and opinions that I have come across both by living in Mexico and by studying in the US. This thesis is about change, about acknowledging problems, about respect and about hope. It is difficult for me as a Mexican to be hard on my country\u27s attempt to rise out of underdevelopment. It is because I am from Mexico, also, that I have had a close look at the poverty that ravishes through those attempts. Equality is essential before Mexico can even dream of national development because a large proportion of the population lives in poverty. Without equity first, NAFTA is a joke; Mexico won\u27t handle it
