Editor’s note: This is the third in a five-part series, “Spring Break Diaries,” in which five Daily staff writers will detail the different ways in which they spent spring break.The locations the series will profile are Chicago; Cancun, Mexico; Hampton, a small Hispanic community in Iowa; Great Britain; and Dewitt.

I had two main goals when I started planning my spring break this year – it had to be cheap, and it had to be different from anything I had ever done before.

Unfortunately, activities fitting both these criteria are few and far between. So when I heard about an “immersion experience” with Mexican immigrants in Hampton, I immediately became interested.

Iowans are hearing more and more about the immigrant population moving into their state. I had heard the stories and read the newspaper articles, but I don’t like to live my life, or make my opinions, vicariously through others. The immersion trip would cost about $40 for four days. We would live with immigrant families and visit the schools and factories where they spend their days. I signed up.

The day we left for Hampton, I was very nervous. My only experience with “Mexicans” had been as the object of their looks and conversation as I walked by in Hy-Vee or Target. Not much to go on, and now I was going to go live with them for four days. I was very aware of my own prejudices and afraid of prejudices my new hosts might also have about me.

After five minutes with my new host family, I knew I had nothing to worry about. Our family showed us nothing but friendliness and consideration. Would you like to go to a dance with us? Don’t worry about money, you’re our guests. Are you having fun? Do you like the music? I didn’t know there were Mexican bands in Iowa, but I had a great time dancing to the unique Mexican and Colombian tunes they were turning out.

During the next three days, my opinions about Mexican immigrants, Iowa’s future economy and my own career plans changed dramatically as we visited the hog lots, egg factories and homes where our new friends spend their time. We talked with families about their experiences crossing the border and their reasons for doing it.

One mother told us about how she and her children walked across the desert until they had blisters on their feet. She said she knew it would be hard taking them with her, but it was better than watching them starve. A dozen eggs costs $1.75 in Mexico and most factory workers make less than $5 a day.

Another mother and father talked about their desire to have their children receive a good education. Both are college graduates, but after the husband lost his job as a construction engineer, he knew his kids would not be able to reach their full potential in Mexican schools. “You always think of your children first,” he said. “Everything is for them.”

Our host families also gave my roommate and I an interesting perspective on the immigrant experience. I was surprised by how knowledgeable they were about legislation in the state of Iowa and at the federal level. Every night we talked until two or three in the morning, on topics ranging from Vincente Fox, Mexico’s new president, to abortion to the future of Iowa’s economy.

The immigrants I encountered for four days in Hampton were as smart, kind and funny as anyone I have met during my time at Iowa State. Many are limited only by their lack of nine-digit Social Security numbers, the number I write down daily without a second thought.

I left for spring break hoping to gain a new understanding of Mexican immigrants and their role in Iowa. I came back confused and frustrated with how much I still have to learn about the whole situation. But I am a step ahead of many Iowans.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions about immigration, hog lots and English-only laws, but listening to the full story is the most important part of deciding where you stand. Iowa is headed down a new path, away from the family farms and Anglo communities of its history. This kind of change isn’t easy, but as Iowans learn more about it, they will be able to live with it better.

Andrea Hauser is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Edgewood.