Going back to school can be a fun time for children in America because many start the year with some new clothes and fresh school supplies. But children in Mexico are overjoyed if they receive a single crayon.

Dr. David Lucas, assistant professor and international liaison at Ohio University Southern, and 20 OU students hope to change that by helping children prepare for the school year when the group visits Mexico June 14 to 22.

The group will drive 36 hours to the small town of General Turan, Mexico, near Monterey, where they will conduct a study to help promote economic development and visit local schools to donate school supplies.

"I think it is an eye-opening experience for kids from the southern campus. They get to see another culture, hear another language and experience another educational system," Lucas said. "Now that we live in a global world, we must continue to make connections over borders, across borders.

"The Mexican students get to learn firsthand about American culture. It is a win-win situation. We have had nothing but good experiences."

The students have been collecting new backpacks and school supplies that they will donate to the underprivileged children, but they need some help from the community, Lucas said.

"Unfortunately, we only have about 30 backpacks full of supplies so far. We were hoping for 400," said Tammy Rowsey, a senior communications major from Ironton. "There has been a very low response, but we have not been able to advertise and we just are relying on people we know."

So far, they only have enough supplies for one school and hope to be able to visit 30 schools, Lucas said.

In addition to accepting new packs and supplies, the group will also accept check donations that can be made out to Los Amigos Internacionales, OUS' international club, that will be given to the Rotary club in Mexico to help the community, Lucas said.

Because many of the children in Mexico have to walk to school, the students have been trying to find a local car dealer, church or group that will donate a used van that the schools could use as a bus.

Their efforts have been unsuccessful so far, but said they will keep trying.

June's trip continues the relationship that Ironton has established with Ironton's sister city Monte Morelos that is next to General Teran. This is the university's 32nd trip to Mexico since 1990, Lucas said.

The visit costs students $375 but they get college credit by taking the class Cultural Inquiry, a senior-level course. During the visit, they will stay with host families and be immersed in the Mexican culture.

"It is a class where you get out there and put what you have learned to use," said Charlie Hammonds, a senior criminal justice major and deputy jailer at the Sheriff's office. "It helps us to understand the theory behind folknography, which was created here at OUS by Dr. Lucas and Dr. Charles Jarrett."

"(Folknography) is the common man studying the common man," Rowsey said. "This is a wonderful opportunity because most campuses do not have undergraduate research groups like this. It is an opportunity most students would not have and it is a good deal."

Lucas said he is pleased the study method has met with such success.

"This has become a popular research method," Lucas said. "We keep getting calls from people saying we need your help to do this study."

Anyone who would like to make a donation can call Lucas at 532-4577 and leave a message. Donations of school supplies can be left at any administrative office at the university.

During their stay the students will make daily updates to the folknography Web site at http://southern.ohiou.edu/folknography.