What it means to be an international student

I have known quite a few international students over the course of my lifetime, but I had no clue as to what it is all about.

In the past, I thought being an international student was about learning first-hand the differences of other cultures. Yet what I experienced today, although not all together normal for me, seems like it would be a totally common experience for any international student studying in Xalapa.

I was concerned about making friends, but I should not have been. I was correct in my first assumption that the other girls from UW-LAX are not really friend material. Instead, I met many other interesting people, both local and international!

I met Luis (my campus buddy) and he is amazing! After an uneventful bus tour of the city, he and I went on an intensive exploratory walk all around el Centro (the center of the city where all the coolest things occur). It feels like I learned more about Mexico in the three hours I spent with him, than I have from three years of studying at the University.

He is every bit a gentleman and has sworn to be "mi mejor amigo de Xalapa". He even jokes that if I spend enough time with him, I will eventually turn into a "Jalapeno" (the equivalency of being a Wisconsinite).

I also met many interesting characters through la EEE (Escuela para Estudiantes Extranjeros). The neatest thus far are Henry and Elis.

Henry is from Belgium and I can't understand barely a word he says (in English or Spanish). He was the first friendly person I met at the EEE, even with the language barrier. He seems very adventurous, even though his program through rotary restricts him from "having fun". He is also very knowledgeable about Xalapa, as he has been living here for six months already.

Elis utterly fascinates me. She is from North Carolina and she is interested in art, Spanish, music, and maps. I find that combination odd, but intriguing. I have a feeling we will be spending a great deal of time together in the future.

The best part was when a whole group of us (Mexicanos y EEE students) went out after our placement test for a celebratory drink. It was the first legal drink for many of my companeros, to everyone's amusement (or maybe just mine). Sitting around the table, telling funny/bad stories of where we come from was the best. I even tried flavored tobacco from Henry's hookah! And the our new local friends offered to throw us a Welcoming party soon.

Sounds like more good times are to come.

Being an international student rocks!