After attending the J-Term trip to Cuernavaca, Mexico with Seton Hill University (SHU) during January of 2007, I decided to try spending a whole semester there this year. As it turns out, studying abroad has been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. First of all, I’ve met so many amazing people. Not only have I met Mexicans and other Americans, but people from around the world study at the school I attend. I’ve had the privilege to learn so much about the cultural differences between many different countries.
By Shannon O’Brien
Contributer
After attending the J-Term trip to Cuernavaca, Mexico with Seton Hill University (SHU) during January of 2007, I decided to try spending a whole semester there this year. As it turns out, studying abroad has been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. First of all, I’ve met so many amazing people. Not only have I met Mexicans and other Americans, but people from around the world study at the school I attend. I’ve had the privilege to learn so much about the cultural differences between many different countries.
I’ve been living with this family here for almost four months and they are among my favorite people that I’ve met here. They’ve completely taken me in; they treat me as if I’m their own daughter and I’ve loved every minute of being a part of a Mexican family. I’ve also made friends with Mexican students from school, the soccer teams, and from going out. There are tons of places to go in Cuernavaca and I’ve had so much fun hanging out with all these new people.
One of my favorite parts of the experience is the different technique of learning. Learning Spanish in school is one thing, but it’s completely different when you’re learning it through hanging out with friends and using it in your real life. Before, I only knew Spanish because I had memorized it out of a textbook for tests. Now, however, I use it to communicate daily and it’s actually a part of my life here. Although I’ve learned so much in my classes, I have learned just as much outside of the school without even trying.
There are countless cultural differences between the U.S. and Mexico and it’s been so enlightening to realize all of them. It’s unexplainable how much fun I’ve had and how much I’ve learned this past semester. Since I’ve had such a great time, I’m studying abroad for one semester every year until I graduate. If there’s one experience in college I would recommend to anyone, it’s to study abroad.