Author: Christian Sanchez | Major: Accounting and Spanish | Semester: Summer 2024
Climbing atop the pyramids of Cholula!
This past summer I had the incredible opportunity to study both business and Spanish in Puebla, Mexico for 5 weeks. With Mexico City being a mere 2.5-hour flight from Dallas, the United States has, and will continue to be, largely influenced by the lively culture of Mexico. Because of this, and due to my study of business and Spanish, Puebla seemed like the perfect city. Situated in east-central Mexico, a two-hour drive east of Mexico City, Puebla thrives as a center of innovative industry and cultural power. Immersing myself with the industry and power of the city would prove to be both innovative and transformative.
Academically, my time was spent at la Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP). Here I was able to obtain 6 hours of coursework through 1. Negocios en Latino America (Business in Latin America) and 2. Práctica Profesional en México (internship). Unraveling the complexities of the Mexican business landscape, we discussed and analyzed the intricacies of the economics, finance, and marketing that define Latin America today.
In addition to the classroom, I worked as a marketing and administration intern at B!rth Group advertising agency. With a goal to “Convertir la inspiración en evolución” (“turning inspiration into evolution”), I worked to develop new employer branding strategies and assessments, collaborate with the LiderAD Podcast, and learn about the administrative process of establishing a brand. Working in a Mexican business, I quickly became aware of the differences in communication and operation that define organizations. With the collective taking precedence, the business operated much more like a family with each individual motivating, challenging, and helping one another. No short of incredible, Birth is a one-of-a-kind company.
Outside of the classroom and the office, I spent my time chatting with my host mom, traveling, and immersing myself in the rich gastronomy Mexico has to offer. Due to the organized structure of the program, we were able to go on 4 weekend trips around Mexico. The first weekend we traveled to nearby Cholula where we saw the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios (Our Lady of Remedies Church) atop the Tlachihualtepetl. The next weekend, we made our way to Mexico City where I had the absolute best tacos at Taquería Orinoco and visited the pyramids of Teotihuacan. Situated in the mountains, we found ourselves in Cuetzalan the next weekend where we visited waterfalls and shopped at markets. The final weekend was spent in Oaxaca where we tasted Mezcal, attended multiple workshops, and explored the downtown area. When I was not traveling, I enjoyed spending time with my host mom. Lulu made the absolute best food – molletes, mole, sopas, tacos dorados, tamales, etc. ! – and I loved learning about who she is and the Mexican state as a whole.
With the most gracious people and richest culture, living in Mexico was of the most momentous experiences of my life. To immerse yourself in a different way of life is to immerse yourself in a different way to be. Going abroad is both challenge and change; I am now a more effective communicator, confident negotiator, and ambitious student.