BJP Graduates Showcase Capstone Projects at Consulate of Mexico

Two graduates of the University of Arizona School of Journalism’s Bilingual Journalism Program (BJP) recently presented their master’s capstone projects at events hosted by the Consulate of Mexico in Tucson, sharing documentary work focused on migration and life along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Mario Sosa presented his documentary film, "Migration 0: Return Stories in Mexico City," on Aug. 20. The film tells the stories of people of Mexican origin who grew up in the United States and later settled in Mexico City as adults.

Through interviews with people who have experienced return migration, Sosa explores the challenges of adapting to life in a country that may be familiar but, in many ways, is new to them.

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The screening also gave Sosa an opportunity to discuss the research and production process behind the documentary and answer questions about the experiences of its subjects.

Sosa grew up in Mexico City and studied communication at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). He first came to Arizona as an undergraduate through a partnership between UNAM and the University of Arizona before enrolling in the BJP to pursue his master’s degree.

His project gave him a chance to return to his hometown and see it from a different perspective.

“I knew how to navigate the city, but it was like a whole new world I discovered for myself hearing from people living there who are returning to Mexico and having to adapt,” Sosa said.

After spending months researching and producing the documentary, Sosa said presenting it to colleagues and community members was both nerve-wracking and rewarding.

“We had a full house, and it was an amazing experience getting to speak to the audience,” Sosa said. “It felt like a good ending for my time in the Bilingual Journalism Program and I am glad I was able to do this.”

The following day, Richard Whitmer presented "Bordernote," a documentary photography and storytelling project featuring musicians who live and work in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands.

During his time as a BJP student, Whitmer spent a year traveling to Yuma, Nogales, Phoenix, Douglas, Hermosillo and other towns on both sides of the border, meeting with musicians ranging in age from 8 to 74.

Rather than focusing the project on musical genre or professional status, Whitmer centered it on the musicians’ personal histories, their connections to music and the ways living in the borderlands has shaped their work.

“This project is a beautiful depiction of border life through music and the people who create it,” Assistant Professor of Practice Kendal Blust said. “I was so impressed by Richard’s careful, thoughtful approach to reporting.”

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Excerpts from "Bordernote" will be on view at the Consulate through Sept. 25. The exhibit pairs framed environmental portraits with excerpts from the musicians' narratives in both English and Spanish.

Both events held at the Mexican Consulate were attended by School of Journalism faculty, BJP alumni and current students there to support the graduates and celebrate their work.

Blust and Professor Jessica Retis served as faculty advisors for Sosa’s and Whitmer’s capstone projects.

“Although the projects are very different, both Mario and Richard went far beyond simply producing a final project for a graduate degree,” Retis said. “They invested time in understanding their subjects, building relationships, listening carefully, and looking for stories that could challenge assumptions and offer a more nuanced understanding of people’s experiences.”