Expectations:

I hold many expectations for my trip to Mérida, México and I know that it is all up to how I handle my experience there to achieve them. The reason for my decision to travel abroad is to experience a different culture and to expand my understanding and appreciation. I would like to be able to speak the Spanish language as much as I am able to listen and write, ultimately becoming fluent. This trip is also a great way to meet new people and form new friendships. 

Stereotypes:

There are many stereotypes that many people have about Mexico and Mexicans.  My family and I travel to Mexico every year for spring break and I have observed the men being impulsive and primarily sexually minded. The women were hostile and provocative in their dressing.  I think of dancing, eating, drinking, and an overall happy but chaotic life. Mexico is a beautiful place, but wherever I go in the country I always have come across a dirty environment and much poverty compared to the United States. Throughout my life I have been able to be surrounded by Mexican people at school and with being in the horse show world, Mexican men are hired as grooms. This includes tacking up horses, lunging if they are wild, walking them to the ring, letting the horses outside, feed them, and clean their stalls. Some of the grooms are also involved in a landscaping business. I have a stereotype of them being hardworking, yet when the jobs are not completed around the stable they get the label of being lazy. I try not to hold many of these stereotypes, but in my past exposure it is all that I have been able to observe. I hope that my study abroad experience will be able to change these past thoughts. 

I never imagined this trip would have such an impact on me. Not only have my Spanish speaking abilities improved but also my outlook on life and myself has expanded immensely. I believe I have made this a memorable and enjoyable experience that has exceeded my expectation previous to arriving in Mérida. Once the language really started to “click”, my interest in continuing my language studies has only heightened. . The people in this city are more than welcoming and helpful. The families are the most hospitable individuals one could imagine and I know in my situation, my home has become a home away from home. I never thought that I would be able to say that I am not sure if I am ready to go home or ever will be. I do, however, look forward to coming back for future visits and keeping in touch with my family and friends from Mérida as much as possible. It will definitely be hard to top this experience.

All stereotypes that I had in mind before have without a doubt been erased from my mind. The people here are the kindest people that are willing to help in any situation. Sure, as a woman, there were the constant whistles as cars passed by and wandering eyes, but that was nothing when compared to the welcome I felt as soon as I got here until the very end. It helped once we were able to carry a conversation with people and letting them know we were students studying here for three months, which brought even more respect. I have learned to have much more patience with others and was impressed on how much they had for us while we were here along with correcting our speech in a very kind, informative way. They are indeed hardworking, but enjoy life to the fullest and do not take anything for granted, and I look up to that. I could not say enough good things about the city of Mérida, the surrounding cities, and the people living in each.