From Mexico to NBCC Woodstock
When I was talking to Tracie Jones at Fusion a few weeks back, she happened to mention there are two Mexican-exchange students at NBCC Woodstock at the moment. Needless to say, I made contact with our visitors from South of the Rio Grande to get the low-down on their stay in New Brunswick.
Daniel Jasso and Octavio Castillero hail from the city of San Luis Potosi (emphasis on the last letter "i") in central Mexico, where they are both studying accounting at the local university.
So what brought them to Woodstock, New Brunswick?
"Canada has always caught my attention," explains Octavio. "I always wanted to come here. I prefer to come to Canada than the U.S.A., it sounds safer."
When Daniel and Octavio looked into studying in New Brunswick, it turned out Woodstock had the program they wanted. A Web search quickly provided information on the town where they would be spending around six months.
Arriving in Woodstock on Jan. 4, Daniel admitted, "This town was not what we expected – but it was a good choice. People are friendly and easy to get to know."
Not surprisingly, the first big adjustment was to the different climate, with much colder winters.
Although Daniel and Octavio have both vacationed in the U.S.A., and Daniel spent two summers at a summer camp in the U.S.A. where he studied English, both cite language as something else that took some adjustment.
"At the beginning, it's different than what you learned," explained Octavio. "People try to understand you and guess what you're trying to say. I feel I've improved my English while I have been here."
Daniel described their home as a crowded city with a mix of local people, as well as Europeans and Americans. While it is not a particularly tourist-oriented area, he noted a lot of different cuisine can be found there.
A difference they noted between Mexico and here is the structure of the cities and towns is similar throughout their home country.
"In all parts of Mexico," said Daniel, "you find a city square."
On the other hand, Octavio pointed out San Luis Potosi, although being bigger than Woodstock, feels like a small town and said every body knows each other and are close.
Coming to a smaller community has been a positive experience for both young men.
"I like the people here," said Octavio. "I am starting to know a different culture. Now we have some friends here. Everybody is very kind and friendly, they have helped us a lot."
"The landscape is awesome here," added Daniel. "We don't have anything like it, it's new for me. Also, I like the school.'
Both agree that taking part in an exchange is a good idea, as a way to increase independence for life and learn many different things. Daniel noted there is an extra incentive to know the language and speak it right – to get good marks.
As well as studying hard, they have tried out the night life here and are keen to join in some different sporting activities.
Naturally, both of them miss family and friends back home, as well as the weather and the spicy food they are used to, and they are looking forward to enjoying some warmer weather here before they return home at the end of June.
It seems Daniel has caught the travel bug, as he is hoping to pursue further studies in Spain, one of several countries Mexico has an agreement with for student exchanges.
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