Choose your timings

Scarlett Gilligan, Universidad de las americas Puebla, Mexico

One thing to consider about your year abroad is how you choose to divide it. For me personally, I believed the most suitable thing for me was to stay for the entire year, something I don’t regret at all. However, I have friends that have moved to South America for semester 2, friends that have moved to work in CDMX for semester two, and some who are spending their first semester in Mexico after Christmas. I have loved both semesters dearly but without a doubt, they are starkly different, each with their advantages and disadvantages. Here I will try to stay as objective as possible to help you choose how to divide your year abroad, and even if Mexico is not your placement, there are still some important things to consider.

Semester 1

In the UDLAP exchange programme, there tends to be more people in semester 1, and also a larger variety. This can be a great experience as you know that everyone you meet will be in the exact same position as you, going through such a big change in life is a great foundation for friendship and despite some having left for semester 2, I still speak to them every single day. with such a diverse cohort, you are bound to make some incredible connections, as someone who moved here not knowing anyone sharing the placement, I got to know, yes the most wonderful people from England, but from all across Europe as well. Furthermore, if you have a very active night life, the parties in semester 1 tend to be a bit more… I am sure you can imagine.

Something else is the weather, I know this sounds silly but if you only come for one semester, you should consider it. August to October can bring some crazy weather conditions in Mexico, in no way should this be your deciding factor, but when you consider what the weather allows you to do, maybe it should be. There is some lovely nature surrounding Puebla and if you love hiking or finding rivers, conditions may ruin this experience somewhat. Some days when I finished uni at around 6pm, I had to walk back in torrential rain, you would think after enduring this for a good few seasons now, that they would install a working drainage system but there is always room to improve.

The part I think is most important is the events, both semesters have incredible events, both nationally and regionally. semester 1 is so incredibly rich with some of the best experiences, dare I say, of my life. Of course, you will not be looking into Mexico and not have come across Día de los Muertos. this weekend is incredible and really worth considering when you are deciding what to do. For example, I had the opportunity to go to Oaxaca, watch as the parades took over the streets and even visit the most spectacular ofrendas.

Another more underrated event is Día de la Independencia, falling in September. I think of my entire time here, this trip takes the cake. the energy was simply electric. we travelled and stayed in Guanajuato, the mother city of this celebration. there were flags, bands dancing down the street, stages and more food than you could ever imagine. I was not expecting this trip in all honesty but I cannot put into words how amazing it felt. the air tasted like solidarity and sounded like “VIVA”, I will always consider myself the most lucky for this opportunity.

Semester 2

Safe to say the conditions are much more luxurious right about now. it is hitting glorious UV levels for a vitamin D starved gringa. This sounds like a silly thing to consider but it has given me the opportunity to actually improve my Spanish that bit more. yes I know that sounds stupid, but this is actually where procrastination can come in handy. I spend most of my time sat in playita, the UDLAP gardens, and because the weather is so lovely everyone is always outside, I have made so many new friends by just sitting and chatting to people at lunch. even if I am alone, I can always trust a random Mexican to come and introduce themselves, so yeah, it is just as difficult to get yourself to the library here too.

Another part that the weather has offered me is the most amazing nature opportunities. Aguacate, only an hour away, shines so so blue. you can find the waterfalls and rivers buried deep within the trees and they make for a perfect trip to cool off. another amazing opportunity is Malinche. the views from the top of this mountain are spectacular, and once you can do that, Iztaccíhuatl is just around the corner.

As for events in semester 2, there is still so much to do. carnival falls in February and I have never seen such an insane show of colours parading down the streets. Because carnival is not just native to Mexico, it feels so much bigger, god knows it definitely looks big. Another incredible opportunity in semester 2 is Cinco de Mayo. this has not come around yet but I am super excited to see what is in store. being in Puebla for this celebration is going to be one of a kind!

Overall, there is a gigantic array of options depending on what you are looking for to get out of your year abroad, think about what is more important for you and whether the timings are going to make you feel fulfilled when it comes to an end. regardless, you will have the best time, but remember, what is good for one person is not good for all. Ask as many questions as possible and make decisions that are suited to you!