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1 word or expression in Spanish you use or
like a lot:

A word that I use a lot in Spanish is "vamos" and especially with the "shaking" hand like saying "lets go". Everytime I want to go somewhere with someone I just say "vamos" with the shaking hand. I can not stop saying it haha, it became a part of me at this point. Sometimes I add an extra word to it and say "vamos chicas" and ofcourse the hand sign with it haha. Me and the word "vamos" became one :)

In the picture can you see how much i use that word.

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1 amazing/awesome fact you learned or
discovered about this country:

I have a lot of things that i learned about this country. The most amazing fact that I learned is that Mexicans celebrate death with dia de los muertos. I have always viewed death as a sad and bad thing, because of the grief. Now I have a different view on death, I have experienced the feeling of dia de los muertos and it felt weird and good at the same time. It changed my view on death.

I know that I am gonna celebrate dia de los muertos with an althar back home next years, it was beautiful.

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The positive anecdote:

While I was in Oaxaca, I spent time exploring the city with Rin, a Japanese student I had met during my exchange. We bonded instantly, sharing stories about our cultures as we strolled through the colorful streets. One evening, while enjoying the lively atmosphere of the zócalo, Rin overheard someone speaking Japanese. She turned to me with wide eyes, “Did you hear that? Let’s go say hi!”

We approached the group, and sure enough, they were Japanese tourists. Rin started chatting with them, and soon I found myself swept into their warm conversation. They were curious about how we ended up in Mexico, and we laughed about the serendipity of meeting in a place so far from both our homes. By the end of the night, we were sitting at a local restaurant, sharing mole and tlayudas, and laughing like old friends. It was one of those moments that felt like the universe was bringing people together just because it could.

A few weeks later, the japanese girl that we met in oaxaca visited usin Guadalajara. She came to my place, and we spent the evening playing games, laughing until our cheeks hurt.

That night, as we sat around the table, I couldn’t help but think about how small the world can feel. A random meeting in Oaxaca had turned into a moment of connection in Guadalajara, reminding me that even though we come from different corners of the world, our paths can cross in the most unexpected and beautiful ways.

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The non positive anecdote:

unfortunatly I also had non positive experiences in Mexico. It started as a typical night out with friends at a lively bar in Mexico. The music was pulsing, and the energy in the room was contagious. We were laughing, dancing, and enjoying ourselves when a guy approached me and asked if I wanted to dance. I politely declined, smiling to soften the rejection. He lingered, insisting, and then, to my annoyance, touched my arm.

I stepped back firmly and said, “No,” making it clear I wasn’t interested. He immediately began apologizing—loudly. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” he repeated, over and over again. At first, I tried to brush it off, but he didn’t stop. For half an hour, he kept yelling apologies, his voice cutting through the music like nails on a chalkboard.

Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. “Shut up!” I shouted in English, my voice rising above the music. “I don’t want to dance with you! You’re scaring me!” My friends turned to see what was happening, offering their support, but he kept trying to talk to me, completely ignoring my boundaries.

At that point, I’d had enough. The frustration boiled over, and I snapped. Switching to Turkish, I unleashed a torrent of words that came straight from my gut—powerful, expressive, and unapologetic. He looked bewildered, not understanding a word, but clearly recognizing that I was done playing nice.

The bar staff quickly stepped in and escorted him out, while my friends formed a protective circle around me, telling him to leave me alone. As the door closed behind him, I felt a wave of relief. My friends reassured me, cracking jokes to lighten the mood and reminding me I had every right to stand up for myself.

That night, I learned the power of my voice—not just in English, but in my native Turkish. It’s funny how sometimes, the strongest way to assert yourself is to speak your truth in the language that feels most like home.

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one time I fell at night because a guy pushed me, i sprained my ankle and 2 days later I sprained my other ankle. this led to the fact that i could not walk for days. Luckily I have the best friends here, they came over everyday and we would watch movies as Aladdin or Corpse Bride. We would hug together like you can see in the picture.

They made sure that I ate something, showered and was safe in bed before they left, because i could not stand or do anything.

I am forever grateful for the people that I have met who became family <3

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the two places that I recommend in Guadalajara:

one of them is definetly the city center, the cathedral. The area is really cool and the cathedral itself aswell. You have cool shops and markets close to it. I remember that i went there on my 3th day in Mexico with other students that i did not know back then. We started to bond in the city center, that is why that place will have a special place in my heart.

The second place that i can recommend is the area of Colonia Americana. There a cool thriftshops and fleemarkets if you love to shop. I also feel like the people there are different, there are more younger people and they look open minded in the way they dress, it is more a streetstyle.

Also there are cool lunch places in the area of colonia americana.

And after all I would definetly recommend going to Tequila!

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the unmissable places:

I would say that if you like the beach you should go to La Paz! It is really beautiful, i would recommend doing the boat tour to Isla Espiritu Santo. The water is really bright and the tour is not that expensive because it takes the whole day.

For culture I would recommend Oaxaca, especially Oaxaca City during October/November. Because of Halloween and Dia de los Muertos. They have pan de meurto in Oaxaca style and everyone is dressed up, painted and there are many parades. Also try the tlayudas and mole! It was a really beautiful trip to Oaxaca

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1 recommendation (money, school, buses, food ...)

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1 recommendation (money, school, buses, food ...)

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recommendation:

I recommend using the bus more often than the uber! I wish i did this sooner, it is only 10 pesos and i have never felt unsafe in a bus.

The only thing is that there are no buses after 9 and that it takes way longer than an uber. But it is a goood alternative to safe money!

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1 recommendation (money, school, buses, food ...)

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1 recommendation (money, school, buses, food ...)

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If you're traveling around the city and looking for an affordable way to get around, I highly recommend taking the bus. It’s only 10 pesos, making it a super budget-friendly option. The buses are generally safe to use, especially during the daytime. However, keep in mind that it takes longer than an Uber due to the frequent stops and traffic. If you’re not in a rush and want to save some money while experiencing a bit of local life, the bus is a great choice!

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Something you were not able to do and you
regret

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Something you were not able to do and you
regret

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During my time in Mexico, there were so many incredible places to explore, but I didn’t get the chance to visit Mexico City or Chichen Itza—and honestly, I regret it. Mexico City, with its vibrant culture, rich history, and endless attractions, was high on my list, but time just got away from me. As for Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, missing out on seeing that iconic piece of history in person feels like a lost opportunity.

Looking back, I wish I had planned better to fit these destinations into my journey. They’re now at the top of my list for when I return to Mexico one day because this country’s magic deserves to be experienced fully.

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While I loved my time in Mexico and all the amazing experiences it offered, I deeply missed my family. No amount of video calls or messages can replace the warmth of being together in person. Along with that, I found myself craving the comfort of homemade food, the taste of good Dutch cheese, and the simple luxury of drinking tap water. These small things reminded me of home and made me appreciate it even more.