- 1. María José Juárez - Campus Querétaro
When I submitted my application for the Scholarship, I did not fully understand the enormity of the stage of my life that I was about to embark upon. The application process seemed very simple given all the corners of the world it could take me to: a statement of purpose, a résumé, a copy of my passport, my transcript and a list of the classes I would like to take at UAM. That’s all, just five documents in exchange for traveling around at least a third of the European continent, and even a little bit of Africa and Asia.
I was so new in so many ways. I had never been alone for such a long time, I had never been out of the country, she had never been on a plane and all of that changed in the blink of an eye. Those "never" became a reality. Those “never” pushed me to discover myself and explore my limits.
When I arrived in Madrid, without even having rented an apartment to live in, the most incredible adventure of my - short - life began. At Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, I was immersed in a university environment of free spirit and constant struggle. I pursued anthropology studies, which forced me to completely question my worldview and I ended up liking it so much that in the end I was afraid that I might have been studying the wrong degree. But, of course, it is normal to find more questions than answers when travelling. And that questioning process is essential for defining our course in life.
Studying in Spain significantly drove my professional career, since one of my objectives during my stay was to discover, first of all, the reality of the country - which I explored through its people and the manifestations - and specifically I was particularly interested in understanding migratory dynamics of a country just 14 kilometers away from Africa.
The issue of migration is more than a passion, it’s my cause, and in Madrid not only did I have the opportunity to take classes on the anthropology of migration, but, by chance, I met a Gambian NGO called Kairaba who worked in Madrid with migrants coming mainly from Africa.
Just a couple of days later, I visited them in their office and ended up volunteering - in parallel to my classes at UAM - with her as a Spanish teacher for a group of Moroccan women. This was one of the experiences they made Madrid unforgettable, because it allowed me to get to know the Muslim culture, the reality of Moroccan migrants in the country and, in the end, I learned from them, about their constancy, perseverance, affection and respect for others, regardless of language, clothing or ideology. Another of the ingredients that made Madrid a unique city, apart from its streets, squares, gardens, bars and snacks were the friends I made there. A group of Brazilians, Mexicans and Europeans who became very fond of each other and we often found ourselves involved in some bizarre story, making Madrid our own and vice versa.
Now I feel that that this trip never ended, that I am stretching this parenthesis as far as possible, because if it had not been for that experience I would not, for example, be working on a project to protect the human and labor rights of migrant workers at the southern border of Mexico with UN Women. I am still on this path. My trip taught me to read maps carefully, also to let myself be surprised.
My travels across the continent left me with so many landscapes, learnings and stories that I couldn’t fit them in my pockets anymore. The emotion I felt was simply overwhelming. Stories that in the end I wrote and shared in a scrapbook. Dear reader, opportunities are here and now, I assure you that in Madrid there are no ordinary days. Correction: after Madrid there will no longer be any ordinary days.
After all, traveling helps us discover the value of each person, thing, detail, gesture and silence. Traveling is breaking up, over and over and again. At the end of the journey, you have to pick up all those pieces and reinvent yourself. Ultimately, you learn to walk in amazement, to stumble across the extraordinary.
- 2. Alejandra Lucía Rodríguez Maldonado - LPO Campus Monterrey
When I was asked to write briefly about my experience at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, a number of incredible events that I have experienced, thanks to this amazing opportunity, came to my mind.
I will admit that when I decided to apply for the Santander Scholarship, I thought it would be a difficult dream to realize, but that did not discourage me, and I prepared myself to meet all the necessary requirements. It was so exciting when I found out that I had been selected, and, from then on, I was busy with a number of procedures and actions began filled me with anticipation for this dream: traveling to Spain and studying at such a prestigious university. It was unbelievable.
When I arrived in Madrid everything looked so majestic. I can’t describe the emotion that overwhelmed me the first day. What would my teachers be like? Who would my classmates be? What will the University be like? What will my classes consist of? Where will I live? All these questions came to my mind, because I already knew that I would be facing great challenges during my short time abroad.
Everything that I have experienced so far surpasses all my fantasies. Going to the University is not just attending classes to pass a course, it is far more than that. It is about preparing myself integrally day by day, as a person with a high ethical and humanistic sense, instilling a commitment in me to everyone around me.
I am so grateful for this great opportunity, since this experience has allowed me to develop the necessary strength to forge successful interpersonal relationships, with my roommates and classmates, all of whom come from other latitudes, and have contributed to strengthening my character, making me more tolerant and sociable.
Furthermore, being in a different country and at a time of so many changes and conflicts in the world, has changed my outlook enormously, and I have developed respect for individual differences. I believe that this experience has greatly increased my self-confidence and self-control and helped to light the spark of leadership that is inside me. I maintain strong feelings of solidarity that motivate me to continue preparing myself to become a professional with strong ethical and citizenship values.
This is a great way to strengthen the values acquired throughout my undergraduate studies, before going out into the “real world” and showing everything I have learned for the common good of my country and the world.
Thank you very much for this great support, this experience has made such a difference in my life and rest assured that I will live up to the trust you placed in me.
- 3. Josafat Vázquez Frontana - LEM Campus Cuernavaca
For me, having competed for and winning the Santander scholarship to study abroad has been an unforgettable experience, full of emotions and surprising moments.
Throughout the competition, in addition to living moment by moment each of the selection rounds, it all became a process of self-knowledge in which I had the opportunity to analyze my persona, my academic performance, my objectives, perspectives, etc.
It is such a gratifying feeling to be able to get to know yourself a little more, while trying to achieve your dreams, and, of course, to see your academic efforts throughout years of hard work and perseverance rewarded. In this regard, it is important to take into account that you have the opportunity to live with other students in a healthy competition, whose process is full of surprises and challenges that require a great deal of encouragement and creativity. I truly feel privileged and now that I have the opportunity to participate in this experience every day, I can confirm that it is definitely worth venturing into this type of programs.
Moreover, the selection process helped me to strengthen my relationships with my family, teachers and friends who accompanied me throughout the entire process. It’s true that in these moments you value even more everyone who, day by day, helps you become a better person.
Regarding my experience in Spain, which I haven’t actually finished yet, I have had more fun than ever before. I have made friends from many countries, such as France, Italy, Poland, Brazil, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Iran, Bolivia, etc. (as well as my Spanish friends, of course) and I have had the opportunity to learn about their culture, to share mine and we have enjoyed incredible moments.
I have to admit that interacting with other cultures is not easy and even though they seem similar in certain aspects, they are different in others. In my experience, I have also been able to gain insight into Mexican culture and our way of being on a daily basis, because listening to comments from people who do things differently from us gives you a very interesting perspective. Of course, you also become aware of this when you have the opportunity to compare your own customs with those of other countries. Finally, you become a more integral person because you take a small piece of each culture in your daily work and, in the end, this helps you be a better individual.
Something I find very interesting I that apart from meeting students from European countries, you also have the opportunity to get together with other Mexicans, some of them from Tec de Monterrey as well, and Latin Americans. This has not only helped me to build contacts in Europe, but also in Latin American and Mexico. The network of potential contacts you can achieve by travelling abroad is truly impressive. Personally, I have gained many experiences and friends, but professionally, my network of contacts has grown immeasurably. This has been very satisfactory for me.
I have also grown in so many areas of my life, which we sometimes overlook in our daily routine. In particular, I have been able to value and grow spiritually, emotionally, physically, administratively, etc.
Emotionally, I have learned to be much more optimistic, patient and tolerant of others, more open about sharing my experiences and to be more confident.
In this area, especially, I have learned to value my family and my country even more, and therefore appreciate the wonders that Mexico offers us. You become much more international and global, but, at the same time, much more patriotic and prouder of your country, nationality and your customs.
It is rather a strange process, because your horizons open more, but you also learn to value what you have. Spicy food, tortillas and some delicious tacos.
Academically, I have been able to test myself, because the evaluation system is different, and the topics addressed in the classes have different priorities. So, I have been able to test my limits, overcome them and also learn to be more flexible and adaptable to new situations
Administratively, I have, of course, learned to manage my financial resources better, to be much more organized in managing my expenses, my income, my time, etc. I feel very proud that I am now a much more independent person and more self-sufficient in many aspects.
Physically, I have done a lot of exercise because at least in Spain people tend to walk a lot, and little by little you get used to walking everywhere. This has turned out to be a very worthwhile activity, since you constantly feel full of energy.
The weather will also always be an interesting topic. Since I am used to the permanently spring-like weather of Cuernavaca, it took me a while to get used to the cold in Spain. However, having other experiences has been wonderful, particularly seeing it snow and being able to go outside and take photos and have some fun while the snow falls – this is truly priceless.
So, I could go on writing and never finish narrating all the things that I have learned, but I think I can say that, in short, the best thing of all is that you receive a lot, but you also have the opportunity to offer a lot to others, to put the name of your country and Tec de Monterrey on high, and to have an impact on others, just as many people have had an impact on you.
- 4. Alfonsina Macouzet Vallín - LHCS, Campus Morelia
My experience in Spain has been unforgettable, because it really allows you to grow in many ways and learn many things, such as simply looking after yourself, washing your clothes, preparing your meals and washing dishes! (Yes, it’s true, those things don’t get done by themselves at home, someone has to do them, ha ha!) and such as having the courses that I always wanted to study (because you have the freedom to choose what you want) with excellent teachers. Since the learning method is very different, it also demands a lot from you, so you have to adapt, and I think that adaptation is a value that will be very useful in today's rapidly changing world. I have had to read a lot which has been quite hard for me, but in the end it's worth it, you learn a lot and also about things that interest you! You also learn to live with people from all over the world and other parts of Mexico (I live with 4 Mexican women from different parts of the country) and adapt to that too, respecting differences and making many friends.
It has been funny, I had classes with older people (several classes), like in a student film, but it is always extraordinary to realize that you do not know anything, or you know very little together with other people, which challenges you to try even harder. I have also had time to travel. (Yes, you have to study hard all week, but at the weekend, you can take advantage and travel as much as possible! So, I will include some photos of the places I have been to so far! Majorca, Toledo, Valencia, Barcelona, Jerusalem and, of course, photos of Madrid!) Do your best! Submit your application, give it a go, you’ve got nothing to lose. Coming here is incredible and everything you experience will be valuable for your future.
