Mission
The Border Awareness Experience (BAE) is an educational immersion program—NOT a tourist trip. It offers a unique opportunity to explore the seamless boundary between three states (New Mexico, Texas, & Chihuahua) and two nations (U.S. & Mexico).
Everything that happens in this region requires innovative solutions and partnerships due to the interconnected challenges in: ✔️ Economics ✔️ Human Rights ✔️ Environment ✔️ Migration ✔️ Labor ✔️ Border Militarization ✔️ Healthcare ... and much more.
The Women’s Intercultural Center invites you to experience the realities of border life and see how your life intersects and is impacted by this unique region.
Border Patrol Tour 🚔
Get an exclusive, interactive experience with the U.S. Border Patrol!
✅ See the terrain, people, obstacles, and challenges faced by both Border Patrol Agents and migrants. ✅ Tour the Border Patrol Command Center and learn about their operations and directives. ✅ Engage in one-on-one discussions with Border Patrol agents, asking any questions you have about the border and their work.
Regardless of your political views, this tour provides an insider’s perspective on border enforcement and its impact on communities.
Engage with Border Communities 🤝
Interact with people living on both sides of the border in New Mexico & Texas.
✅ Cross-cultural dialogue with participants at the Women’s Intercultural Center and other local nonprofits. ✅ Participate in community activities, hosted by the Center or partner organizations. ✅ Gain real-life insight into the complexity of border life by engaging directly with those who live it every day.
By the end of your experience, you’ll put a face to the issues you may have only heard about from afar.
Explore the Border Region 🌍
Part of the Educational Immersion is the chance to explore this beautiful and complex borderland.
✔️ Learn how the 1853 Gadsden Purchase changed the U.S.-Mexico boundary, making Anthony, NM one of the few towns whose country and address changed overnight. ✔️ Tour Segundo Barrio, the Ellis Island of Mexico, where many Mexican American families trace their roots. ✔️ Visit Old Mesilla, one of New Mexico’s most historical locations, to see what an 1800s border town looked like. ✔️ Hike dormant volcanoes or national parks to experience the stunning natural beauty of the region.
There are endless opportunities to explore the culture, history, and partnerships that shape this region.
Are you ready for the experience?
Voices from Past Participants 💬
“The Women's Intercultural Center opened my eyes to the issues on the U.S./Mexico Border. From touring with Border Patrol, visiting nonprofit organizations, staying with host families, the Women's Intercultural Center provided us with the knowledge that we needed to be informed persons in society. I think that this center is the best way to learn about these issues, and I wish that everyone could experience the border in the way that the Women's Intercultural Center has developed its Border Awareness Experience.”
~amtison [www.greatnonprofits.org]
"Between all the people and organizations we met with I was able to gain a better understanding of immigration and not only what migrants face but also how we could work on doing a better job of changing the system. I consider that every time I vote and when I speak with my representatives."
~gwenland [www.greatnonprofits.org]
“I came here with my college through the Border Awareness Experience Program and I must say my life was changed forever. I never knew how the Border and Immigration Issues could affect our entire nation. I didn't know everything that these people go through working so close to the border. Everything that happens across the border affects their city. We got to learn from different organizations and learned how they viewed the border and immigration issues. Best part is we were also given a tour by the U.S. Border Patrol and were able to talk with them one on one. I mean how many people can say they've done that. They took us all around the border and showed us their operations it was amazing just being able to ask them any questions we felt we wanted an answer to. There wasn't one question they wouldn't answer and they were very open with us as well. I loved the experience and our coordinator Saif was amazing he was very knowledgeable in immigration issues and he had grown up on the border all of his life. Just hearing his experiences and what he believes could help the issue was amazing. Learning from him was an incredible part of the experience as not only was he very open and honest, but he was funny and was always willing to make this our experience the way we wanted. Thank you to the Center and Saif for being so amazing.”
~Alice Wonders [www.greatnonprofits.org]
How to Arrange YOUR Border Awareness Experience
Customize your experience based on your areas of interest:
- 🌱 Ecology & Environmental Issues
- 💰 Economic Challenges
- 🏥 Health & Healthcare Access
- 🏛️ Human Rights Advocacy
- 🚶 Immigration
- ⚖️ Labor Rights
- 🎖️ Border Militarization
- 🗳️ Local Politics
- 📚 Education
- 🔍 Other specialized topics
Select Your Site Visits
Your experience can include:
- 🚔 Border Patrol Line Tour
- 📚 Center Activities
- 🏢 Grassroots Organizations
- 🎭 Museums & Cultural Centers
- 🏥 Health Departments (NM/TX)
- 🏛️ Historical City Tours (NM/TX)
- 🏢 Public Hearings & City Council Meetings
- 🎒 School & District Visits
- 🏙️ Tourist Attractions & Events
- 🛍️ Shopping Opportunities
Costs & Registration
💲 $25 nonrefundable registration/deposit per person to reserve your BAE dates. 👥 Minimum of 7 participants required (Max: 12 participants). 💰 $85 per person per day, including lodging and meals. ⏳ Your arrival and departure days count as a single day for cost calculation.
Ready to Experience the Border Firsthand?
📞 Contact our BAE Director at 575-882-5556 📧 Email us at
Start your Border Awareness Experience today—and discover a perspective that will stay with you forever.