My main expectation in studying abroad over this coming winter quarter is to familiarize myself much more with the Spanish language.  I feel that learning in the classroom without immersing myself in the culture I am studying can only take me so far regarding my speaking ability.  I expect to open myself up to another culture in the hope of broadening my own experience as a person as well as shifting the way I view the world.  I don't think I'm taking any stereotypes of the Mexican culture with me when I travel.  I try not to blanket any particular culture with a specific characteristic and I have a hard time being around anyone who does.

Since I said beforehand that I make an effort not to subscribe to stereotypes, I would say that none of what I heard from others about Mexico really turned out to be true.  I traveled solo to many locations that people said were horribly dangerous to travel to and encountered good people 99% of the time.  Especially while solo I met incredibly nice people interested in conversation or helping me to learn more about the history of their country.  Being in Mexico I hope has changed the direction of my life and what I expected to find I found, along with so much more.  This country is incredible and deserving of so much and I hope to make a return trip with a swiftness that you cannot fathom.