¡Hola! Alex Tidwell here—first-generation and non-traditional student—reporting directly from Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico. This adventure marks my first experience beyond the borders of the United States and, I tell you what… It has been ¡FANTASTICO! Definitely one of the best decisions of my life, enrolling in the GEO program: Mexican Studies and Spanish Immersion in Querétaro. Why so? Well, let me tell ya…
First off, as someone whose academic path hasn’t followed a straight line, I’ve long sought out meaningful challenges—second language acquisition being one of them. My two years of formal study were driven by a desire to build deeper cultural connections, always with the goal of capping it off through an immersive experience abroad.
I definitely had some reservations: Would my Spanish be good enough? Would I understand the lectures? Could I truly thrive in a classroom—and a culture—so different from what I’ve known? But nonetheless, I took the plunge.
As a student of archaeology with a fascination for Mesoamerican culture, six weeks in the heart of Mexico sounded like the perfect opportunity—and even just one week in, it absolutely has been! There’ve been plenty of challenges and stressful moments, sure—but nothing insurmountable. I managed to navigate my arrival from the airport to local transportation (shout out to Uber) and into my first meeting with my host mom and her family, armed with some basic Spanish and a lot of wishful thinking.
The living situation? ¡Muy bien! My host mom spoils me with some of the best home-cooked Mexican meals—which, I swear, have no equal back home. Mealtimes offer rich opportunities for conversation and cultural exchange at the family level. I’ve learned so much from them, and they light up when I can share a bit of my own knowledge in return. I stumble through the Spanish, sure, but they’re endlessly patient and kind. Their warmth has made this experience far more special than I ever imagined.
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The classes? Oi… during orientation and lectures, I caught maybe 25% of what was said. But day by day, with personal study and application outside the classroom, my communication is improving. That’s the greatest benefit of living with a Spanish-speaking family in a Spanish-speaking community: endless opportunities to engage—and practice.
The biggest surprise? Just how patient and generous people can be. Like I mentioned earlier, I’ve stumbled through Spanish, apologizing constantly. Yet, I’m always met with warmth and encouragement.
It’s not easy—my brain is toast after each school day—but the experience is already showing its worth. I’ve tasted new foods, smelled new smells, been confused, amazed, overwhelmed... and through it all, I feel my life has been enriched by exposure to the culture. And there is still more to come… For folks like me—unsure if you “belong” in a program like this—I’m here to say: you absolutely do. Just say “yes” and figure it out as you go. That’s what I am doing. So far? So very good!
- Alex Tidwell, Mexican Studies and Spanish Immersion in Querétaro