Catching Up With Oak Park Student Studying in the Heart of Mexico

Jon Walsh is an Oak Park native attending school at Central College in Pella, IA. Rather than go the traditional route and hop on a plane to study abroad in Paris or Madrid his senior year, he traveled south to spend his fall in Merida, Yucatan, in Mexico. We caught up with him below.

Patch: Why Yucatan?

Walsh: I chose Merida for a few reasons. I’m an Environmental Studies major, and for my senior project I’m testing water quality here in Yucatan. I’m testing the water for E. Coli, nitrates and iron levels...I’m not too far into my project yet, but overall I seem to think the tap water here is not as bad as people may perceive it back in the United States. I do not drink the tap water, but some locals do. The second reason I chose Yucatan was because I have had friends in previous semesters who said how much fun they had here.

P: Any highlights so far?

W: The highlights thus far have been traveling to places like Playa Del Carmen and Tulum during the Independence weekend in Mexico. We traveled with a group of students from Germany, France and students here in Merida, and it was very nice to interact with people from different cultures and get to know them and their cultures. I couldn’t be happier that I chose Merida — the people here are so friendly and approachable and willing to help us 'gringos'. The Yucatecan food is fantastic, it’s very healthy. The diet here consists of a lot of fruit and vegetables and of course tacos and tortas.

P: What about struggles?

W: For myself the biggest struggle has been learning Spanish. I took Spanish classes in high school, but that was about five years ago. It’s been a struggle but I’ve learned a lot since I first got here. Many students our age speak some English, so communication is not terribly difficult. I would almost rather speak Spanish here because if I don’t go out and practice I’m not going to learn as much as I would like. Some of the older people in the Yucatan still speak Mayan, which is basically impossible to understand.

Traffic here is also pretty crazy, people do not obey the lanes on the busy streets. Pedestrians have no right of way at all — you always have to look over your shoulder to make sure a car doesn't run you over because they honestly might. Once you get used to the flow of traffic, though, it’s fine.

One more thing — it is also seriously hot here, day in day out.

P: Why’s it important to study abroad?

W: I think study abroad is a great thing for myself and most college students because we only know our culture in the United States. I guess my expectations were to see a lot of slums and poor people, and while I do see that in certain parts of the city, I see just as many people with nice cars, huge houses and very nice clothes. That opened my eyes here because I think the misconception in the U.S. is that Mexicans want to live in the U.S. to search for a better life. Now I understand this is far from the truth.

P: What is the biggest difference between Merida and home in Oak Park?

W: The biggest difference between the Yucatan and the Midwest is the sense of community. The community here looks out for one another; they help when someone is in need of help. Communities here support local businesses so they know the money will stay in the community. People here are so relaxed — being on time is not important in the culture unless it’s for a professional event.

The parties and clubs here are also like nothing I've seen in the Midwest. I would definitely recommend Merida to my friends back home.

Above photo courtesy of Jon Walsh.