January 23, 2016, 4:30 a.m.
It was still dark outside and I was on my way to the airport, about to embark on a three-month adventure in a foreign place, whether I was ready for it or not. I was equally ecstatic and terrified to begin my semester abroad in Mérida, Yucatán. It was a lot to take in all at once -- my first time leaving the country, my first time on a plane, my first time traveling on my own, my first time living in a city with a population higher than 10,000 people. And doing all this in a country where English is not the first language was even more nerve-wracking. But five-months later, back in the comfort of my own home, I realized I learned a lot from the whole experience. Here's a short list of just a few things I learned:
1. The culture of México is heavily influenced by the United States.
Everywhere I went, it seemed like popular music from the U.S. was played with much more frequency than Mexican music ever was, especially in restaurants. I also frequently saw people wearing shirts with English words or phrases on them, which were sometimes grammatically incorrect. During the semester, I saw a few movies from the U.S. in theaters, with Spanish subtitles -- "The Jungle Book" ("El Libro de La Selva") and "Deadpool." And, although it seems like the culture of México is heavily influenced by the U.S., the reverse of that does not seem to be true in any strong sense.
2. People want to practice their English just as much as you want to practice your Spanish.
Initially, I was a bit worried about my communication skills because my Spanish is all right, but by no means perfect. However, time and time again when I would start speaking Spanish at a restaurant, on a bus, or downtown in the park, the person I was talking to would almost automatically switch to English, telling me they want a chance to practice. This was very helpful in being able to communicate, but it was sometimes also a little frustrating because one of the main reasons I studied abroad was to improve my Spanish.
3. There's nothing wrong with asking for help.
Mérida is a big city, and I got lost more times than I can count. At first, when this happened, I would panic, and then I would tell myself that I shouldn't ask for help because it would simply reinforce the pre-established stereotype that I'm just a clueless, helpless gringa. But once I finally got out of that mindset and worked up the courage to ask for directions from passerby, I soon realized that everyone I asked was very friendly and very helpful.
4. "No pica" does not always mean no pica.
No pica basically means "not spicy," but sometimes it's a lie. OK, well, maybe not a flat-out lie, but the people of Mexico are more used to spicy food than those of us from the United States, so even though something might not seem spicy to them, it could make your mouth burn and your eyes water. My first time trying a michelada on the beach (it's basically just beer mixed with chili powder and some other spices) in Puerto Progreso I believed them when they said "no pica." I shouldn't have. The look on my face must have been quite hilarious because the kind gentlemen I bought the drink from burst out laughing after I took the first sip. I jokingly yelled "¡Mentiroso!" as I walked away (which means "liar").
5. Once you live in another country, you see the world in an entirely different light.
Studying abroad in Mexico has changed my views of myself and the world around me. It has provided me with a way to look at many issues from an alternative perspective, as well as countless opportunities to go to places I didn't even know existed and chances to do things I never would have done on my own -- like horseback riding in the steep mountains of San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas (which resulted in a nasty sunburn, but was fun nevertheless). I tried new foods, explored new places, discovered new music and dances, made countless new friends and a ton of amazing memories, and I wouldn't change it for the world. I could go on and on forever about all of the amazing experiences I had in Mexico, but the most important lesson I learned during my semester abroad is that there's a whole lot of world out there, and new adventures waiting around every corner. No matter where life takes me in the future, I will approach each new place and experience in the same way my semester in Mexico began -- with a sense of excitement and wonder.
