黑料吃瓜

Karina Jimenez is a senior business management major studying abroad for the spring semester at Universidad de las Americas in Puebla, Mexico, through 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 Exchange program. 

For more blog posts from 黑料吃瓜 students studying abroad this spring, visit the .

It鈥檚 been exactly one month since I first arrived in Mexico, and I can鈥檛 help but think it has gone by way too fast. In the span of four weeks, I have settled into my new home in Puebla, adjusted to having roommates for the first time, met amazing new friends, tried new food and traveled to various cities around Mexico, on top of keeping up with my classes! 

I couldn鈥檛 be happier with choosing Mexico as my destination for the semester. As a Mexican-American, I didn鈥檛 experience much culture shock. As I鈥檓 fluent in Spanish, there was no language barrier but I have come across many differences including accents, and slang that I鈥檓 not familiar with. Taking classes in Spanish has proven to be a bit more difficult than I had anticipated but it鈥檚 something I鈥檓 glad I鈥檓 working on.

My favorite part of being here has definitely been the food. I鈥檝e discovered plenty of amazing Mexican food that I hadn鈥檛 heard of, but I already know it鈥檚 something I will truly miss once the semester is over.

One of my first trips was to Tepoztl谩n, which is a town that鈥檚 famous for having a pyramid on a clifftop above the town. The goal was to hike up to reach the pyramid. It was a short but strenuous hike, and well worth it. Sitting at the very top was the pyramid, I took in the amazing views of the town below.

I also got to experience a traditional carnival that happens once a year in Cuernavaca. The whole town takes part in this event and gets together to dress up as 鈥�Chinelos,鈥� which is the blend of Indigenous and Catholic traditions for Independence Day celebrations.

Locals started gathering as early as 10 a.m. to celebrate and dance. The city blocks were full of locals in colorful costumes, and there was music and street vendors everywhere. Something I learned is how many states throughout Mexico have their own festivals and how each state has their own colors when it comes to their costumes.

隆Puerto Vallarta y Sayulita!

Sayulita was very small but full of color and the best way to describe it is a 鈥渉ippie surf town.鈥� Here I got to surf, eat lots of seafood including shrimp tacos and aguachiles, and enjoy the warm weather lounging at the beach.

In Puerto Vallarta, I was surrounded by amazing views. The scenery was incredible 鈥� picture bright green palm trees everywhere. The beaches were lined by tropical jungles and the water was clear and warm. Being there made me think of home and how much I鈥檝e taken having the beach close by for granted. 

My time here has been amazing so far and although it has only been a month, I know the semester will fly by. I already have more trips planned and I can鈥檛 wait to update on my upcoming adventures here in Mexico.

For more blog posts from 黑料吃瓜 students studying abroad this spring, visit the .