As a first-year and first-generation student I am glad I had the opportunity to study abroad during my spring of 2022. Going to Oaxaca, Mexico, and flying out of the country for the first time was surreal. From the beginning I was eager and excited to meet people, explore a new culture, community, lifestyle, and society.

During my spring break, from above the plane, Oaxaca was a rural place stacked with mountains in all shapes, rows of crops, and tons of land outside the city. Upon arrival, I got the chance to see a colorful long parade gathered with people covered in black paint, singing, children playing instruments, mothers throwing treats at the chanting crowd and the men slowly pulling people into the parade to join. This new environment was magical to experience.

Throughout the week, I toured historical parts of Oaxaca such as Monte Alban and Arbol del Tule. I learned about families, that until this day, continue to follow traditions that have been passed down from generation to generations like the creation of the textile’s rugs, black pottery, alebrijes, and metal embossing that Mexican artisans continue to create and honor. Seeing this back in the United States is uncommon where families continue doing what their ancestors did and passed on to younger generations. This was neat to me because it helped me understand the importance of culture and how teaching it to different generations is a way to keep their traditions alive.

Apart from the many fun explorations that I was part of, I am very grateful for such a challenging and rewarding volunteer experience. Casa de Sol was a nonprofit organization where they welcomed and invited elders without family to live. During my volunteer days at Casa de Sol, I improved my problem-solving skills on the first day when my team had a schedule of four days to clean, draft and paint four murals throughout the hallways of the resident’s home. Not only that, but while working on the murals, we saw the residents poke around the hallways – curious about our work.  It was such a joy for them and a way for my peers and I to connect and communicate with the residents. Listening to the residents speak was not troubling but speaking to them was nerve-wracking because I knew my Spanish was not the best and having to speak it everywhere I went to was hard - things like ordering food, drinks, and purchasing items. Luckily, this motivated me to improve my Spanish for future purposes.

Above all, I am grateful for creating unforgettable memories, friendships and discovering a new culture in Oaxaca. I learned so much and have come to appreciate everything I have.  Assisting communities like Casa de Sol also helped me become more open-minded.

Name: Luz Selena Vazquez Hernandez
Status: Freshman
Major: Political Science/Pre-law
Hometown: Mulberry, Florida
Program: International Engagement in Mexico – Oaxaca