Stereotypes:
There are a few stereotypes that I have about Mexico and the Mexican people. First when I think of a Mexican I think of them as being dirty, poor and drunk on tequila all the time. But, at the same time I imagine that their families have a close bond and their traditions are impressive and have tremendous impact on their culture.
Expectations:
One of my expectations for my time in Mexico is that I have a strong relationship with my host family. I also expect to come back to the US more fluent speaking and writing in the Spanish language and to come back with more knowledge of the Mexican culture as well. Over all my expectations are to have a fun and educational trip with friendships that last a lifetime.
In Merida:
Hoy fuimos a una visita a la Facultad de Ciencias Antropológicas de la Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán. Allí encontramos a nuestro guía que se llama Isaac, y nos dio una visita de la Universidad. La planta es muy grande con mucho aire y una arquitectura y el estilo son muy diferentes y bonitos. La Universidad se ofrece cinco carreras que incluye antropología, literatura, historia, arqueología y comunicación social. También se ofrece arquitectura y medicina cerca del centro, psicología cerca de la Universidad, y veterinaria en otro lado de la ciudad.
Hay mas que quinientos profesores y once mil estudiantes en la Universidad y cada día vienen allí por camión, auto, o en una bicicleta. Las clases es de 8 a 2 y incluye un programa para los intercambios que se llama Programa Movilidad estudiantil. Hay mas o menos 60 estudiantes en el programa, 50 de los Estados Unidos y 10 del resto del mundo. Después de las clases, muchos estudiantes regresan a Mérida que está 40 minutos por camion de la Universidad.
Me gusta la visita a la Universidad por que fue una oportunidad para examiner la educación en una cultura y país diferente. Mi parte favorite fue el diseño del edificio central. Fue muy diferente que los edificios en los Estados Unidos y tuvo una personalidad. Hubiera querido conocer a Genny Negroe, la directora dela facultad por 3 años. Pero fue todavia una buena visita.
After Merida:
Expectations:
Of the expectations I had before I arrived in Mérida the majority of them were met. My first expectation of having a strong relationship with my host family was met. I have a very strong relationship with my family, I feel like I am actually apart of their family. We all get together and have a great time. My host family makes me think of my actual family because they are very similar. I am not fluent in speaking or writing Spanish yet which is ok with me. I have come a long way since I left Ohio in January. I am able to make conversation with people and I have become a lot better in my writing which is very uplifting. I have learned a lot about the Mexican culture while here in Mexico and have been able to participate in some of the cultural events. I had a very educational and fun trip and have made strong relationships which I believe will last.
Stereotypes:
Some of the stereotypes that I had about Mexico and the Mexican people were not true at all. I thought that a Mexican was always drunk on tequila all the time which is not true, and not every Mexican is dirty and poor. They are the same as the people in the United States. I was correct in my assumption that a typical Mexican family has a close bond. My host family sees each other every day and talks on the phone at least once a day as well. Their relationships are so strong. The traditions are impressive and do have a tremendous impact on their culture. They have a very structured culture with structured traditions.