[I chose UPAEP because of the opportunity to learn about the culture and the health system in Mexico.”]
November 20th, 2017
Translated by: Mercedes A. Hernández Pacheco
“My name is Mark Hancher and I am a student at Notre Dame University in Indiana, USA, this is my first semester here and I chose UPAEP because there were many options to get to know the culture and how the health system in Mexico works. You have great Health Sciences programs here at the University.”
Mark is a Pre-Medicine student in the USA and his exchange program has helped him to get better in Spanish. He lives in a Homestay which means being another member of a Mexican family and most of the time; he gets to speak the language and get to know other places in the country such as Oaxaca, Mexico City and Chiapas.
“The experience of living with a Mexican family is a good option because you can not only speak in Spanish and learn their traditions, but also you get to be involved in some activities organized by them. For example, I was able to cook Chiles en Nogada with my homestay mom which helped me to adapt to the Mexican lifestyle and at the same time, to involve myself in the culture through a new perspective.”
About his travels through the Mexican Republic, Mark was able to see how Puebla is different from another cities, especially because of the baroque architecture beauty, the historic events that had happened here and the amazing Historic Downtown Center, this has made his staying easier and more enjoyable during his every day journey to the University.
“Among all the places I have already visited, Puebla is still my favorite city because of the great combination between being historical and modern, the food, the history and the culture are the main reasons why I will recommend it and all Mexico to all of my friends in the United States, especially for those who are studying Spanish. In fact, I like this program a lot because from the beginning it caught my interest between the Spanish language and medicine”.
“I have experience culture shock in a very small level; I had an orientation week at the University before classes where they explain you very useful tips and my homestay family also supported me while I was trying to adapt in UPAEP and in the city.”
He told us that one of his best memories so far (before this interview) was able to celebrate Mexico’s independence day on September 15th in downtown where the most important recommendations from his homestay mom was not to drink alcohol and take care of himself around all the crowd.
“I actually felt really safe, I do not think there was too much to worry about because of all the policemen around, I heard a lot of music and everywhere you could feel the Mexican culture, traditional food, dancing and colors, it was a very fun night.” Although it was extremely difficult for him to choose his favorite food, at the end, Mexican breakfasts were the best, especially eggs with chorizo and chilaquiles with green sauce. ¡It is absolutely amazing! Besides that, he observed his homestay mom very carefully how to prepare fried tacos, mole poblano, enfrijoladas and different types of sauces. Even though he is not completely used to the spicy food, he likes to try it and nowadays he no longer has to run for a glass of milk or water to feel better.
“With my classmates, we have been able to talk about the advantages to live with a Mexican family. If we were renting an apartment or with other US students, we will only eat food we know how to cook, but being part of Mexico, we have been exposed to different dishes. I really recommend living with a homestay.”
About his academic experience, he has been able to visit hospitals and now he understands more the social security and all the programs that the government implements which will help him to prepare himself for his future as a doctor. The difference between the interns in Mexico and the USA, is that here they get to practice and not only be able to observe.
“I believe there are more opportunities to learn more physically, using your hands and not only your eyes and because of that, I got to integrate with the Hispanic people. This is very important particularly in the United States because as a doctor, I will be able to get to know more their wishes, tastes and traditions, after all, they are our south neighbors and I am pretty sure I will get to see more Latin American patients.”
Finally, he encouraged the rest of his colleagues and friends to go to Notre Dame for an exchange or to any other part of the world. Although it will be difficult, it is also going to be worth it. “You will learn a lot and enjoy, you will be having a new experience every day, and it is just fascinating.”
ORIGINAL TEXT:https://www.upress.mx/index.php/noticias/universidad/comunidad/1902-de-notre-dame-al-nido-de-las-aguilas
