Diana is studying Global Business Administration and obtained the Uni scholarship for a stay at the Universidad Mayor de Chile.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Yes, I did.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
The truth is that since I entered the Uni I had it as one of my main goals, since it was an opportunity that I had to take advantage of at all costs.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, I had only gone on vacation to San Francisco, California and on another occasion I went on behalf of the University of Celaya to present a project at the University of Fullerton, California.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
I was driven by the challenge of living far away from my family and loved ones, by taking time to know my strengths and weaknesses, by having to organize myself to have a "normal" life in a country completely different from my own, by getting to know another culture and other people, by missing my country and seeing it from another perspective, by gaining new knowledge and skills for my personal and professional development.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
I had always been interested in getting to know the south of the American continent, so I did some research on the South American countries with which Uni has an agreement and I was convinced that Chile was an economically stable and safe country, besides having different touristic places that attracted my attention.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
A lot of excitement and a lot of fear. The first night in Santiago was horrible, I felt so out of place, despite being a Spanish-speaking country I did not understand almost nothing, I had no idea how I was going to spend the following months like that, but as the days went by I met many foreign people who also came on exchange, you make friends and you feel calmer knowing that you are not going through this big change alone and that there are people who support you.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
Super good. They were always very attentive to the exchange students, they give you the right advice for your best incorporation to the university and they are available for whatever you need.
What will you miss most about Mexico?
Even though everyone says it, it's absolutely the truth: FOOD! It's missed too much. The lack of a tortilla in your meals makes a big difference. I also missed my parents a lot, my sister, my boyfriend. I missed how cheap Mexico is.
What about the Uni?
The organization that the university has for each event or school activities and also the university facilities.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
Meeting such beautiful people of different nationalities and Chileans that I am sure I will see again in the future, as well as having had the opportunity to travel to various places in Chile, Argentina and Bolivia that have been completely beautiful and have changed my life.
And the hardest part?
Having to adapt or get used to living with new people, the truth is that at the beginning it is very difficult, but you find the way to make it lighter.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this program?
I hope to value my country and the people around me much more, to identify my areas of opportunity to improve and to gain professional knowledge and skills to apply in future social projects that I would like to develop.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Totally. I invite my classmates to participate and take advantage of this type of programs that the university has, it will be an unparalleled experience in their lives.
