As my first semester in Mexico City comes to an end, I reflect on the considerable growth I’ve made in these past few months. Although it seems like just yesterday that I arrived, slightly disillusioned, to Mexico City, the “yesterday” me has evolved into the self-loving, energized, and passionate “today” me. And Mexico City, a paradox of disordered city life crossed with a tranquil, easy vibe, was the perfect backdrop for my spiritual journey of self-love and self-discovery.
To start off, it’s hard not to find what you’re looking for in such a massive city. Each of Mexico City’s 16 boroughs manifests its own unique personality: the lazy, colorful pueblo of Coyoacan; the hipster, mostly German- and French-filled area of La Condesa; the wealthy and exclusive Polanco; the more poverty stricken, but artistic Tacubaya; the architecturally rich, skyscraper-packed Santa Fe; the inclusive, mostly gay area of La Zona Rosa; and so much more. However different each may be from the rest, every area, like its residents, emanates a sense of contentment and self-love. And the more I continued to journey through Mexico City’s all-embracing boroughs, the more comfortable I felt embracing my own uniqueness.
At Georgetown, I felt like being unique made me an outsider. Sperry boat shoes, North Face jackets, and salmon-colored shorts are all must-haves of Georgetown fashion. To top it all off, everyone seems to come from private schools and wealthy families. And then there’s me: a first generation college student who grew up eating bean soup and listening to mariachi music. My lifestyle, although not exactly unique in my hometown, was an anomaly at Georgetown. I felt like an outsider.
But despite my differences, I found shelter in Georgetown’s first-generation programs. Both the Center for Multicultural Equity & Access and the Georgetown Scholarship Program strive to make students like me feel more at home. And I thank them for all the help, but at the same time, there’s always more that could be done—more that Georgetown can do. Regardless of the help these organizations provided, I still felt like I needed to change who I was, both mentally and stylistically, to feel welcome. I felt like I needed to buy a North Face jacket or the latest iPhone, which I knew my parents couldn’t afford, just to fit into the Georgetown community. Luckily, studying abroad in Mexico City has changed that idea.
Providentially, Mexico City was exactly where I needed to be to learn how to love myself. Here, I re-discovered that the way I dress, talk, and my financial circumstances do not make me less of a person. Instead, I feel loved and accepted by the amazing study abroad staff at La Universidad Iberoamericana, my newfound friends, and my roommate. Furthermore, this sense of acceptance has motivated me to practice self-love. So, I decided to stop focusing on my flaws and to stop comparing myself to others. Instead, I have chosen to focus on my strengths, while still remaining humble. Once I switched to this mindset, I felt a sense of relief.
Mexico City’s tranquil, easygoing vibe also gave me the personal time I needed to meditate on and truly find my self-love. At Georgetown, stress was a constant. From the million-and-one assignments, to the activities, to the events I had to attend, I never had enough “me” time. But here in Mexico City, although stressful in its own way, I am able to breathe and discover who I want to be. This is especially exciting, since it has allowed me to become more passionate about what I study. And it is this newfound sense of confidence and passion that I plan to bring back to Georgetown.
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