As I landed in Mexico City, going through customs and waiting for my luggage, I was super nervous and didn’t know what to expect. Once I meet one of my group leaders and some of my group members it made me feel more at ease because they were kind and welcoming. The first night we were all getting to know each other and getting used to the fact we were all going to become a little family for the month of July. The first four days in Mexico City we learned about its history and visited famous sites like the pyramids of Teotihuacan, the Mayan canals, and the Museum of Frida Kahlo. On the fifth day, we flew to La Paz to meet our host families. I was anxious to meet my host family because I did not know what those eleven days at their house would feel like. At first, my host family was really shy and it was hard to try and get them to open up, but after a few days we began open up towards each other and it made me feel more comfortable. In La Paz, we began the marine biology activities of the program. I was excited because it was my first time snorkeling, and seeing all that life under water was so beautiful. Swimming with the sea lions was very nerve racking for me, but once I was in the water and saw them swimming I was happy I did not back down. At the end of our host family stay, it was hard to say bye to all the families because we did form a bond with them. We made sure that we would stay in touch and never forget them. For the rest of the trip, we headed to Tulum and Cozumel. In Cozumel, we went camping on a pearl farm and learned about the process of how pearls are formed. In Tulum, we went to the Mayan ruins and swam in under water caves. The last day of Mexico was the hardest. The bond my group formed was unreal. I would have never thought a group of 15 strangers could spend three weeks together and become a family. Studying abroad was the best decision I have ever made. Thank you to everyone who made it possibly for me to experience something so unreal!

-Miranda

This summer, I have to opportunity to travel abroad to Mexico with The Experiment in International Living. I will be in Mexico for three weeks learning about their culture and stepping out my comfort zone. During the trip, I will be joined by twelve more experimenters and two group leaders who will explore the streets of Mexico with me. Not only will I be getting to meet new people from my group, I will be living with my host family for eleven days experiencing their day to day life. Living with my host family with teach me valuable life skills like adapting to any environment and being comfortable meeting new people. I will also be going snorkeling and working with local marine biologist to learn about the biodiversity in Mexico. Seeing and learning about new cultures teaches me to be more open minded. This experience is going to make this one of the most exciting and memorable summers ever.

-Miranda