Studying in Montevideo. The Lasting Impact of My Student Mobility

As an undergraduate student in Latin American Studies, I had the privilege of participating in a one semester-long academic mobility program at the University of the Republic in Montevideo, Uruguay. My choice of destination was influenced by my undergraduate Latin American Studies, as I developed a deeper understanding of the country’s history and literary scene. The works of notable Uruguayan authors such as Cristina Peri Rossi, Eduardo Galeano, Delmira Agustini, Ida Vitale, Juan Carlos Onetti, Mario Benedetti and Horacio Quiroga resonated with me and played a pivotal role in my decision to study there. I wanted to experience firsthand the environment that had inspired their writing. 

Although my primary goal was to further my academic formation through my undergraduate studies, I gained a deeper understanding of the country and discovered that living abroad is a transformative experience that broadens the perspective on diverse cultures, practices, and worldviews. 

I received a warm welcome from the beginning. The Faculty of Humanities and Education Sciences at the University of the Republic provided me with support, addressing my academic concerns and offered me guidance on finding accommodation in Montevideo. This assistance allowed me to contact in advance the student residence where I lived, and also my classmates, who would later become like a second family to me. 

Studying abroad offered an opportunity to experience different teaching methods and classroom dynamics. I was able to observe the differences between the Mexican and Uruguayan educational systems. I not only gained knowledge in my field of study, but I also learned from my classmates, teachers, and the people I interacted with daily. 

During my time there, I immersed myself in a new way of living day to day life. From the moment I arrived at the airport, I began to discover their culture. One of the first things I tasted was mate, a widely practiced costume: people carries it everywhere, from classes to the beach, and even inside stadiums, they go with their mate in hand and flasks of hot water to prepare the drink. 

It was fascinating to learn about a nation that, despite sharing common history with Mexico and being in Latin America, developed its history in a totally distinct way due to its specific geographic location, as well as the pre-Columbian heritage. There is a very different social reality and political history. Although I had a basic understanding of Uruguay’s history through my studies, living abroad totally broadened my perspective. Contemporary issues, national history and collective historical memory are starkly distinct from those of Mexico. 

Every moment became a learning experience. Walking the streets for the first time (sometimes getting lost in them), hearing local words and expressions, tasting unfamiliar food, or food I would eat in Mexico with a completely different flavor; going to the supermarket and not finding what I was looking for or finding it and discovering it had a different name. Before I realized, I was already comfortable with the streets and the expressions of Uruguayans, and sometimes I even found myself using them in conversations. 

I stayed in a student residence where most of the people were from other Uruguayan departments and other nationalities. This amazing experience allowed me to interact with them and gain insight into their perceptions of us. Living among people from diverse backgrounds provided a new perspective of Mexico. I learned about their views on our country, what they knew about Mexicans, the news they received in the South (which were not always favorable), and their familiarity with our culture (including the Mexican TV shows they had watched and the foods that defined us internationally). 

In turn, I shared aspects of who I am, my culture, and traditions with them. They asked about the meaning of words we use and began using them themselves. They learned about our traditions, such as the Day of the Dead and our Independence Day celebration, El Grito, and I explained as much as I could about our practices, both traditional and casual. I even taught them how to dance “Payaso de rodeo” (Rodeo Clown) and other songs. 

When it was time to return, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction knowing that I had made the most of this opportunity. It was a very rewarding experience, as I learned from every situation and from the people I lived with. I feel extremely grateful for everything they contributed to my life, and I hope that I was able to contribute something to theirs as well. I met many people who became important to me and, even though a couple of years have passed, I continue to stay in touch with them and keep up to date with their lives and their countries. Some of my friends have even been able to visit Mexico and experience firsthand the things I told them about. 

My student mobility experience had a positive impact on all aspects of my life. Academically, I gained a significant amount of knowledge that has been invaluable in my professional and working life. On a personal level, the trip had a lasting impact due to the great friendships I made and the unforgettable experiences I had.

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