I don’t know whether to be excited that I’m halfway through the program or sad that the end’s creeping closer. It’s been a rollercoaster—full of ups, downs, victories, challenges, and a few surprises. Let’s start with the hard stuff and end on the high notes.
I came into this program knowing my Spanish was pretty rough. I expected an uphill climb, but it still stings when I see my classmates grasp lectures with ease while my brain works overtime trying to fill in the gaps. It’s frustrating. The professors are endlessly patient, bless them, and they do their best to keep me on track. But sometimes I feel like I’m holding the group back. I feel out of place.
And that’s not just about language. As someone significantly older than most of my classmates (minus one fellow outlier), I often feel disconnected socially. Groups have formed, and more often than not, I’m on the bench. My interests are different. My background is different. That part’s tough.
But here comes the upside!
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The professors? Like I said—amazing. The directors and GEO staff? Consistently supportive and proactive, always checking in. The student support from Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro—the Amigas Mexicanas—has been especially helpful. They offer tutoring and language practice, which I’d never needed before, but now rely on daily. I’m not giving up. I’m burying the ego and asking for help. Comparing myself to my classmates is a trap. Comparing myself to myself? Way more rewarding.
Even when I’ve felt like an outsider, I’ve managed to build some incredible relationships—ones I plan to carry beyond the program. I’ve met wonderful, thoughtful people I never would’ve known otherwise, and they remind me why I came here in the first place: to learn, grow, and connect with diverse communities and perspectives. Everything else? Just a bonus.
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Alex Tidwell, Diverse Ducks Ambassador