The way to a man's heart is through his stomach
Toluca is the largest city of the State of Mexico, 60 km away from the Mexico City capital. That is where I spent the last 5 months. It is difficult to put into words the enormity of knowledge and experience that is gained through an international exchange. You get a new perspective and begin to perceive not only the beauty of other cultures but also the uniqueness of your own origin. Thanks to the earlier Erasmus trip to Spain, I have already had two friends in Toluca, who with Mexican hospitability introduced me to their world, gave advice on how to navigate the local reality and accompanied me until the end of the exchange. It was my first contact with the incredibly warm and hospitable culture of Mexico. Already during the first days of my stay, groups of students approached me on campus to talk to me and treat me to characteristic sweet and spicy sweets. Food is an important part of Mexican culture. Many friends asked during my stay what I had already tried and what I had not tried and treated me to those treats that I did not know...always with a bit of chili or tamarind. In addition, many Mexicans cannot imagine living abroad precisely because of the unique dishes that they can taste only in their homeland.
Viva Polonia!
At one point, I had the impression that almost all the faculty personnel knew me because many people I saw for the first time asked me how I was doing. It turned out that they knew me "not exactly known where from". I felt very taken care of – many university employees made sure that I felt well, and as soon as it got dark, my lecturers or friends from the group drove me home because they didn't want to let me come back alone (even by taxi).
After just a few days, the campus guards knew me by sight and as soon as I came to the classes in the morning, they greeted me with a joyful "Viva Polonia!" (long live Poland). Teachers and students used to invite me to their lessons to share my experiences from exchanges and intercultural cooperation.
There is a pervasive belief that in Mexico the rules are not followed quite strictly, so it came as a quite surprise to me that in February everywhere, and especially at the university, everyone scrupulously followed the Covid restrictions. Covid at the time I arrived was taken extremely seriously. According to the data, at that time, Mexico had three times fewer infections than Poland.
I get the impression that of all the Latino countries, we have most in common with Mexicans – we are similar in many ways, and, what is more, they still remember John Paul II and the fact that he was the first pope to visit their country.
Is Mexico safe?
Despite quite many surprising similarities between Poland and Mexico and a lot of knowledge about Latin America, the culture shock happened anyway. It didn't happen right away but with each week of delving into life there. The three most serious challenges people living there face were: safety, water problem and earthquakes. In the case of the last one, I really had only a substitute – I felt one little quake, in the morning, just after waking up. My roommate called me in a frightening tone, and in half a second, wearing my pyjamas I was already at the exit. We found ourselves outside with other neighbours and after a short while we returned because nothing dangerous was expected to happen. However, sometimes it gets much worse – everyone remembers the tragic earthquake of 2017, in which a total of 369 people died, including students during the evacuation. Even this small sample made a great impression on me.
As for security, Mexico does not have a good reputation. However, it depends strictly on the state: there are states and cities with a European level of security, there are states controlled by narcos, i.e. clans associated with drug smuggling and sales, and there are states whose biggest problem is feminicidios, i.e. the murder of women due to the very fact of being a woman. I was very moved that in my region there were literally protective bubbles in which people lived and acted. Such a protective bubble is a proven place: home, work, school, several shops and restaurants, friends' houses. Twenty-year-olds, despite the fact they can, never travel alone, even by uber in their city (taxis in that region are much less trusted). In general, the following rule is followed – if you go with trusted people, then nothing bad will happen. Even professors text each other that they have already arrived home after work.
Water is worth its weight in gold!
In Europe and the European Union, the eco-dialogue continues and, as a community, we strive to be increasingly environmentally friendly. In Mexico, the problem of drought is very real and serious. In some districts, water runs out from time to time and simply – THERE IS NO WATER IN THE TAP. Apparently, in Mexico City this problem has been around for many years, in Toluca it has come up recently. There are also cities, like in the north of Monterrey, which is just dry. All the water is privatised there, and people are used to the fact that the water runs out for a few days (until you order a cistern to the building to replenish it). When students at my presentations asked, if I would ever move to Mexico for a longer time, I replied that it was possible but only to a city with water. They were surprised and one even commented that it was a valuable remark because neither he nor his friends, when choosing a city to look for a job, considered this factor. I've also noticed that many people are aware of the problem but so far little has been done with respect to this topic – so as to recover, purify or simply not to waste water.
A country with a hundred faces
Mexico is a world dominated by great music, amazing colours, beautiful nature, warm smiling people but it also faces many serious challenges. This historically and culturally rich country delights and fascinates. Despite many things that deprive its people of peace, they live with smiles on their faces, almost adoring their country and always trying to see the good side of the situation. Even though it is a huge country, with great metropolises and opportunities, Europe still appears to them as the world to which only few have access. After such an experience, a person grows a sense of pride and joy of being Polish and European.
Source: Stefania Zielińska
Edit: Natalia Naworska, Promotion Centre of the University of Lodz
Photos from the private archive of Stefania Zielińska