The workshops included lectures about the migration phenomenon, it’s positive and negative aspects for both countries, the Mexican economy, the Mexican history and literature as well as tips of how to conduct business with Mexicans. All of the workshops made me reflect about the importance of knowing about the culture of the country that you are going to and how it can benefit you when dealing with someone in your work place or even making business overseas.
Today we had an unexpected surprise when we were notified that the former president Vicente Fox would be willing to meet us for the last time before we go back. As predicted the meeting was short, but significantly enough to make it unforgettable. With khaki pants, polo shirt and a hat on, Mr. Fox came in to the room asking what we would like to talk about in 10 minutes once he had to receive some people that were coming from Spain to meet his Centro. During this time, he asked for a feedback of the week and emphasized the importance of this cultural exchange. Besides his strong voice and height, he is extremely accessible and humble and was more than welcome to take individual and group pictures with us.
With President Fox
Ex-President Vicent Fox’s symbol
1st Academic Exchange
After the surprise, we had lunch in a typical Mexican restaurant in Leon and then spent the rest of the day in the city taking more pictures of its buildings, churches, and plazas.
During this week I believe we learned how to understand, respect and appreciate the Mexican culture and its people. I was particularly impressed with the solidarity of the Mexican people to each other in this period of crisis. During a tour in the Middletown of Leon I saw a lady in her 60’s apparently coming back from work, giving away her food to an older lady in desperate need begging for money and food in the street. Also, today when we stopped by the stop light, there were some people of the Red Cross asking for money. It happened that Oswaldo that does not have a lot of resource gave away some money for this cause. It is amazing that poor people help those that are in worse conditions even though they need the money as well. I believe that this is the right attitude for a country that has been struggling with the economic crisis and other internal problems.
The internship in Mexico was a great opportunity to exercise our leadership skills, conflict management and even to learn to set up our priorities and stay focus on our goals.
I will leave Mexico admiring their history, culture and their compassion for each other in this hard economic time. Also, I learned the importance of expanding our horizons in order to become a better individual and a better nation. I hope to keep contact with the people we met here, so in the future we can provide them the same experience that they provided us. I would like to thank Michael Ratley, Mishael Bautista, Felix Raimundo, Ivette Clemente, and Dr. David Hill for this amazing week that we spent together!!!!
Left to the Right: Michael Ratley, Felix Raimundo, Camila Kurebayashi, Mishael Bautista, Dr. Hill, and Ivette Clemente
By Camila Kurebayashi
