Would you recommend this summer programme?
Definitely. I loved the programme and it helped me learn lots about design both in general and in the sociopolitical context of Mexico. The class is quite intensive (~6hrs daily, five days a week) and involves a lot of class discussion and presentation, but I feel it brought on my Spanish massively. I was the only foreign student in the class, which I feel gave me a unique experience
What activities were organised by your programme? Did one in particular stand out as your favourite?
We were assigned buddies (student volunteers) that organised various meet ups, but I found that I did more with my classmates. I ended up making friends with most of the class did a range of activities with them, including visiting Tequila, Chapala, and various markets. I didn't have a favourite activity, I would say I mostly enjoyed meeting new people and living close to the university made making spontaneous plans super easy.
Did you have the opportunity to travel elsewhere on your summer programme?
I continued to travel through Mexico living with friends in various places such as Chiapas, Puebla, Nayarit and CDMX for two months after the end of the programme.
What is your favourite memory of your summer programme?
The friends that I made. I feel they are lifelong connections. The world cup also happened to be on at the same time, and the atmosphere of the fan fests was amazing.
How has this summer programme impacted your life?
Positively impacted me academically due to learning about design from a completely different point of view, socially due to giving constant presentations and making so many friends, and personally due to the experiences that have allowed me to grow and gain life experience.
How has this summer programme impacted your Spanish proficiency?
This was my first class in Spanish. I learned through talking with friends and had recently taken the B2 DELE exam, so academic Spanish was a big change at first, but living and learning in the language definitely improved my Spanish.
