Hola George,

Surrounded by mountains, Guanajuato, Mexico, is a quaint city with intriguing history, amiable citizens, and colorful houses. Lining the cobble stoned streets are restaurants, hostels, shops, and bars and each are unique in their own way. Street vendors sell fresh fruit, vegetables, and made-to-order tacos on almost every corner. Adding to the striking scenery are gardens and plazas that serve as main social settings.

I experienced life in Guanajuato as an intermediate student studying Spanish for two weeks in January 2008, where I immersed myself in Mexican culture. I lived with a wonderful family who welcomed me into their humble abode, a traditional Spanish/Mediterranean style home with three outdoor terraces and a full length front porch.

In the morning I awakened to the sound of roosters crowing and ringing church bells. I then walked to the University of Guanajuato’s school of language, which was a twenty five minute hike uphill. The university has breathtaking structural designs with great attention to detail. I attended class daily from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the following week from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. My professors devised creative methods for learning and our class engaged in hands-on activities that helped us retain information. Academically speaking, my experience was exceptional.

After classes I would return to my host family’s house for lunch which was served between three and three thirty. The meal consisted of the soup of the day and the main course which was always accompanied by warm tortillas. Lunch is considered the main meal of the day, so at this time the family would talk and eat, while simultaneously watching soap operas on Telenovela. I saw it as an opportunity for me to bond with the family, ask questions, and practice what I learned in the classroom.

Several days of the week lecture courses were scheduled with professors from the university who would brief us on topics such as economics and politics in Mexico. This was very interesting as we heard first hand what type of issues plagued the city of Guanajuato and the country of Mexico, how these issues arose, and what steps are being taken to address them.

The best aspect of my experience was the friendships I made while studying abroad. About 25 students from Mason traveled to Mexico and the memories we have of our time there will forever be embedded in our minds.

My adventures in Mexico brought me to the realization that life is what we make of it. I hope to keep traveling to unfamiliar places to discover new and exciting things and continue learning about different cultures. I would encourage anyone to travel abroad for an experience that will enhance your appreciation for humanism, history, and the world in general.

Adios,
Jediah