THE END

Dear blog-reader,

Now that Monika has safely returned from her exchange semester in Monterrey, Mexico, she is back at Tilburg University in the Netherlands to complete her BA Liberal Arts and Sciences degree.

A new cohort of third-year BA Liberal Arts and Sciences students will go on exchange as of July 2011. So please come back in July to read about their experiences, as they happen!

Best wishes,

The Liberal Arts and Sciences core staff

100 days of summer

Good feeling, won't you stay with me just a little longer?

Always seems like you're leaving when I need you here just a little longer.

100 days. I’m going to stay in Mexico 100 days more. Almost half way through. This means that I still have 100 more days not to worry about the future, 100 more days to get tanned, 100 more days to be international student… I’ve done some many amazing things here and I hope even better are yet to come. I guess, this would be subtly reflexive post, as I can feel time passing by today more than ever.

The Sun is shinning

What being in Monterrey has given me so far? First of all, Mexico has given me an opportunity. I finally got my chance to work with audiovisual media. I’ve done radio program, short videos and wrote a screenplay. Right now, I’m working on television program with one team and documentary movie with another. I don’t know if I can ever be a successful documentary film maker or radio journalist but for today, I know that doing this makes me happy. Makes me care about things that I do.

Last week I made my second short video (the link for my first video is in the post “Wild thing”). I filmed the cycling team “RR”, which is training on the outskirts of Monterrey. Thanks to Pablo, my crazy Mexican friend, I got the place in a supporting car and I was able to track the team for the three hours. Unfortunately, all the things that could possible go wrong, went wrong- weather, shots, camera. However, I was able to finish it. It’s not, as good as, the previous one but I’ve learnt a lot while doing it.

Mexico has given me kisses and hugs, tequila and friends. Lots of friends. Some of them so amazing it will be hard to say goodbye. Mexico has showed me salsa. Made my body move and shake. Mexico has given me a helpful hand whenever I was needing one.

Dark clouds

Mexico shines with all the colors of the rainbow but it also has its dark side. Today, there was a shooting close to the TEC campus. The gates were closed and we were trapped inside for a little while. Drug cartels are still fighting in Monterrey over the power and territory. You can hear people talking about shootings from time to time but it is totally different experience when you actually hear the gun fires up. It got me thinking about how reckless sometime I behave in Monterrey. I’ve got used to feel safe in the Netherlands, cycling back home from the party at 3 am, walking by myself. However, Monterrey is not Tilburg and you have to take some precautions to stay safe.

Weird things also happen. Mexicans do many strange stuff to earn money, for example some of them rent parking space for the car during big events. The funny thing is that they rent space in public street. I find it disturbing. My friend smiles and says: Welcome to Mexico!

Independence trip

Last week we celebrated 200 years of Mexican Independence! Like most of international student, I also decided to go to the centre of Mexico. Together with an amazing group of friends ( 3 German “party animals” Philip, Bernie/Barney and Thomas, 3 lovely French Sophie, Audrey and Tonito and, of course, sweet Peruvian, Liz ) , we made a 5- day trip to Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende and Guadalajara. It was a really good holiday!

• Guanajuato

First stop: Guanajuato. It’s so far my favorite Mexican city. It’s colorful, lively and very, very…well Mexican. The absolute “must-see” places are Mercado Hidalgo, where you can buy banana ice-cream, Juarez Theater and the Mummy Museum (warning: it’s very creepy place, especially when you see the mummy of the baby and pregnant woman…possible nightmares )

Also, if you ever going to be in Guanajuato don’t forget to visit Callejón del Beso. It’s a tiny street when the lovers can kiss (on the third step) and it will bring them long-life of happiness. Worth a try, I guess.

Wednesday, 15^th September- big preparation for “El grito”. The Grito de Dolores is the call that Miguel Hidalgo made for the people of Mexico to rise up against the authorities of New Spain, initiating Mexico's War of Independence. We dressed up for the occasion by wearing green shirts, sombreros and carrying Mexican flag. Together with everybody gathered in Guanajuato, we marched to town square to shout "¡Viva Mexico!". Flag-waving, confetti throwing and fireworks to celebrate freedom.

¡Viva Mexico!

• San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel is a small town located very close to Guanajuato and is one of the “Pueblos Magicos” (the magic city) in Mexico. It is known for its beautiful colonial architecture. It’s also very popular tourist destination, especially liked by Americans. We spent in San Miguel half a day and I think it was enough to see everything. Although the city is beautiful, you can get bored after one day. We did some sightseeing and went crazy in the playground. Oh yes… and I was traveling in Mexican public bus for the first time…well, definitely prefer taxi.

Little children

• Guadalajara

On the third day of our trip, we finally reached Guadalajara. Guadalajara is the second biggest city in Mexico and vivid business metropolis. It is also described as the "most Mexican of all Mexico's cities”. Why? Because many of things that are closely associated with Mexican culture come from here: mariachis, tequila and famous Mexican hat, sombrero.

We had only two days to visit Guadalajara, so we decided to see the most important stuff recommended by tourist guide: historical centre with cathedral, ‘Monument to the Illustrious Men’ and cultural centre. In the afternoon we went to Tlaquepaque, an old craft center and colonial village. It’ an amazing place and absolute “must-see” in Guadalajara.

I’m not sure if I should write about our night adventures in Guadalajara…I will just say, we did some crazy stuff there. (Angels Mix, whoo hoo!)

One advice: I highly recommend any tourist to take a taxi in Guadalajara instead of bus. You can’t imagine how easily you can be robbed there.

• Tequila!

Oh, Tequila… the place where life seems so simple. Especially, when you’re already drunk before 3pm. On our last day of trip we decided to visit production plant of tequila. To hear how to make tequila is interesting, to see the whole production equipment might be riveting but to drink all of the different kind of tequila for free is just extremely exciting;) Usually, in the pubs or in the party, they serve us a really crappy type of tequila- Tequila Blanco- straight from the production, which causes a huge hangover (surprisingly we still love it). However, the taste of “rested and aged” tequila which spends some time in the barrel (Tequila Reposado- between 2 months and 11 months, Tequila Anejo- more than one year in the barrel, and my personal favorite Tequila Extra Anejo- more than 3 years in the barrel) is so much better. This aging process darkens the Tequila to an amber color, and the flavor can become smoother, richer, and more complex. Although the regular tequila already made me drunk I couldn'r resist tastingTequila Liqueurs, Tequila Cremes and Flavored Tequilas… I don’t remember how I got home J

Where the wild things are...

You have to go on and be crazy

Craziness is

like heaven.

Jimi Hendrix

Where the wild things are?I have always wanted to know and I have been secretly looking for them. All mylife, I was plying safe- never first to jump, never first to shout, but some part of me always wanted to just let go and be crazy for a while. I guess, I found my wild things here, in Monterrey. I don’t know what makes it so easy to behave crazy in Mexico, maybe the weather or the people that surround me or the feeling that I’m just passing. No matter what it is but I’m glad it makes me to constantly try new things.

I told you in my last post that it would get hot soon, so, as promised, here is a sneak peak of my latest adventures. The last few weeks have been incredible in every possible way. I’ve done things that I’ve been dreaming about for a long time. First of all, I was canoeing in the river in Huasteca. The rapid current of the river, tunnels, landscape and awesome team made this trip absolutely amazing. Secondly, I did a bungee jump! (whoo hoo!). Together with the group of exchange students, we went to the Cola de caballo last Saturday and jumped from the highest bungee in Mexico. Incredible experience, which I would recommend to everybody. Do you want more? No problemJ Last Sunday, I was invited to join my friend Alex for a trip to Cascada del Chipitin, which turned out to be the absolute paradise on earth. Together with two the craziest (in the very positive sense) Mexicans I’ve known so far, we drove in the jeep through the bumpy, rocky road to be able to swim and jump in the azure(and freezing) water in the middle of the mountains.I still want more… Please, don’t spill the beans to my mum but I’ve already found a place to skydive in Monterrey, so it may be the next crazy thing I do. Craziness is like heaven!

However, being in Monterrey is not just about fun. Honestly, studding at Tec (Tecnológicode Monterrey) is not a piece of cake. The Mexican education system is very similar to education system of United States, which means a lot of homework, assignments and partial exams. Last week was an “exam week”, which was especially exhausting for “always hungry for party” international students.I also have bad and good news about studding at Tec:

Bad news: there are no re-exams at Tec ! so if you fail once, you need to repeat whole course. That’s really, really bad news for me…

Good news: I really enjoy my courses! I’m taking all the courses from the Communication& Media department, which is something different from what I used to study in Tilburg. I’m working in the radio studio (making radio programs), chasing people with my camera and making documentary movies. Last week I made my first, short, documentary movie about International students, which was warmly received by my fellow students. I’m really proud of it.Hope you will like it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUi-4bW0PQQ

Tomorrow (15^th of September) Mexicans celebrate 200 years of Mexican Independence and there will be a huge “fiesta” in the whole country. Together with my friends, we decided to celebrate in Guanajuato. Therefore, tonight I’m leaving for the 5-days trip of non-stop fun, first to Guanajuato and later to Guadalajara and Tequila. The trip will be Legen- wait for it- dary!!!!and I will write about it, as soon as, I’ll come back. Stay tuned!!! Besos:*

What a ride! What a Mexico!

Everyone has seen photographs of Mexicans wearing those big sombreros. When you come to Mexico, the astonishing thing is, nobody wears these hats at all.

Well, not exactly. There are couple of international students who love that sombreros and wear them proudly in public. Personally, I bought one for myself. However, Mexicans are no longer surprised seeing us doing that unusual stuff because by now everybody in Monterrey knows that we, international students, are crazy and we do everything just to have funJ

It has been already two weeks since I came to Monterrey. Two wonderful weeks of being international, exchange student. The first taste of the life which seems so simple and incredible exciting in the same time. I’m not kidding when I say that it is the best experience I have had so far. I have so much to tell you…where should I start? What the heck, let’s start from the beginning.

I started my journey in Warsaw (Poland) at 30^th of July. Two stops before Monterrey: Paris and Mexico city. My first big, self-reliant trip to another continent! (surprisingly at the airport my mum was like a rock while I cried my eyes out). Nice 17h flight from Paris to Mexico. First trouble at Mexican airport where I got lost twice. Later, I was in a hurry to catch another plan. And here comes the first lesson: don’t worry about the time in Mexico, Mexicans are always late! I got to Monterrey 2 hours late but the people who were supposed to pick me up were still waiting for me. Second lesson: Mexicans love to help othersJ

I spent my first five days with Dionne (fellow Tilburg exchange student) at her house. Primarily, I was supposed to live in the Residence Halls (dormitory) but all the people I met said it is really bad idea. Too many rules, too strict and all international students live in private houses. So I began to fish for a room and fortunately I found a really nice one. Now, I live with two Mexican guys- Carlos and Rodrigo…and Bruno (the dog). The best thing is that I can speak Spanish with them all the time and they help me to discover Mexican cuisine, for example gorditas. Yummy!

I decided also to have all my classes in Spanish which makes my fellow international student think I’m crazy. So far, I can understand like 70% of what the professors are saying but I guess it is quite good score for the beginning. What is more I’m taking salsa class- I will post a movie about it when my performance will look like salsa.

The weather is still killing me. Seriously, I have no idea how I ever will be able to study in this heat. However, studying is the last thing on my mind right now when there is so much going on. As everybody knows one of the biggest part of exchange life is… partying! After two weeks here I turned into the “party animal” (special dedication to Pierre :p) Dancing salsa in the bar, 1 liter drinks which cost 3 euro, parties for 700 hundred people. What more to say: life is good!

Ok that’s it for today but stay tuned because I’m just warming up !

Funny digression: the majority of the Mexicans I have met know at least 2 word in Polish and all of them seem to know how to say ” Cheers!” in polish (“Na zdrowie!”). Pretty amazing J

First rule of survivor: face your fear!

I have accepted fear as a part of life - specifically the fear of change.... I have gone ahead despite the pounding in the heart that says: turn back.

~Erica Jong

Nobody said it’s going to be easy: being on your own. It becomes even scarier when you take the deep dive and decide to be on your own in the foreign country. Hmm…the well known fear of change. The more I think about it, the more it amazes me how the unknown creates so much worry. I remember the first time I came to live in the Netherlands. I was so afraid to get out of the car and all I could think about was to turn back and drive straight home. Now I’m glad I didn’t because the changes I feared the most ended up having a silver lining attached. There is a whole new world of possibilities once you stand up and decide to face your fear. And there is no better feeling of success when you do!

Now, together with decision to go on exchange to Mexico, there is another change coming, new fears and challenges. At first, going to Mexico seemed like a crazy idea. Well, to be honest, it still doesJ. Having in mind the bad reputation regarding the safety of this country and hurricane season coming up, it took me two deep shots of vodka before making up my mind. I guess it took even more for my parents to accept it. The preparation for the exchange also took a lot of my energy: finance matters, communication problems, Spanish tests, accommodation worries…and many, many more. My mum asked me once if all that is worth the effort? Now, I feel the answer is simple: hell yeah! Despite all my fears and worries, I believe it is going to be the biggest adventure I have had so far!

Going abroad, especially as far as Mexico, I needed to find a way to overcome my inner uncertainties. I suppose that the most important lesson I’ve learned, while preparing for my exchange, was to learn how important it is to stay optimistic- no matter what. One of my dearest friend told me once that optimism is like a magnet, which draw in all good things to us. If you believe that you are capable of doing something, then you probably are. It was a hard lesson to take for such a zealous pessimist as myself but it was worth a try. Now, I know that my exchange in Mexico will be amazing because I expect it to be like that!

Carpe diem! And trust as little as possible in the future!