I’ve experienced way too many ‘lasts’ these past couple of weeks: last classes, last visits to my favorite neighborhood, last salsa clubs, last meals of al pastor tacos, and last memories with exchange students that I see as family. It has not been a walk in the park. Every goodbye is not easier than the first. I really did not want to close this chapter, but everything good has to come to an end.
As highlighted in my previous blog, there’s a massive difference between New Zealand and Mexican universities in the classroom dynamic. You almost feel like you are back at high school, having 20 students in a classroom instead of 200. Although this was an adjustment due to its required participation, I grew to like this style of teaching. Having the opportunity to speak on topics that mean a lot to me, while also being able to hear perspectives of Mexican students, was intriguing. For someone going on exchange, this classroom dynamic was perfect, as you were able to build relationships with the teachers and students. There were three students in particular; Mayra, Erik, and Hanny, whom I am going to miss dearly. Like many other Mexican students, they were always lovely and offered to take me on tours of the city or invitations to their parties. I found myself getting lunch with them in between classes or going to football games with them in the evenings. Alongside the exchange students, these Mexicans made my time at Tec memorable.
Another difficult moment was saying goodbye to my host grandmother and my flat mates, in particular, Ida (from Finland), Markus (from Romania), and Katie (Kiwi). From seeing each of them every day to not at all was quite difficult; especially as we shared so many fun memories together. The sense of home was not only signified in the people but also in the house itself. As I looked around my now packed-up room, I realized how safe this space felt to me for 4 months. Leaving everything you once knew and moving to the opposite side of the world was a massive deal. Having a place of security and comfort is so important for an exchange, and I was lucky enough to ground myself in my host home. We shared some wholesome moments before departure, including making waffles for our host grandma and writing on her wall.
In terms of Mexico City itself, I recognized it as home. The colorful buildings, noise of car horns, and smell of street food brought a whole new level of comfort and appreciation during my exchange. On one of my last days, I did a final tour of my favorite neighborhoods within Mexico City. It was one of the only times of that week I was by myself, but I enjoyed having a moment to reflect on my overseas experience. I remember feeling every form of nerves possible back in July, and now I can say that I have overcome that fear and doubt. It reminds you of how capable you are and how far you can go, in terms of distance and mentally.
My experience would not have been complete without the exchange community I had around me. The network of students with different backgrounds created such a unique experience, something that is so rare. I felt like I not only learned so much about Mexico but about other parts of the world. I felt so much pride on graduation day when all my friends received their awards. It is odd to think I only met these people 4 months ago, yet was in denial when saying goodbye to all of them. We celebrated afterward at the Xochimilco boats; as we knew it was our final hooray; we ensured to take advantage of graduation day together.
As a good friend once told me, it is not a goodbye – but a see you later. It hurts that all of us exchange students would not be in the same time and place anymore; however, it gives us a window of opportunity to meet again. Now I have friends that live across the world – in which I can visit and experience what life is like in their host country.
As the days got closer to departure, it was also the arrival of my best friends into Mexico City. We will now embark on a 35-day backpacking experience across Central America. Not going to lie; it felt weird to have people from home visiting my new home. It almost felt wrong to mix the life I had in Aotearoa with what I had now; as I felt like I had changed so much since leaving Auckland. On the other hand; I was so excited to share my new life with the people I love most.
As upset as I was to leave Mexico City; I can recognize that everything I experienced; all the lessons I learned; will be something that will stick with me for life. I also knew that once this door closes; another will open, such as backpacking Central America! There is nothing to look back on; but rather everything to look forward to.
