When I boarded a plane for Mexico, I worried I was leaving behind an entire semester of opportunities at Harvard. Instead, I found experiences I never could have had on campus.
I chose to participate in the School for International Training: Mexico program based in Oaxaca City, Oaxaca, Mexico. This program focused on Migration, Borders, and Transnational Communities and one of my goals was to learn more about this subject matter. The program started in Tucson, Arizona and as part of this one week excursion, we were able to visit the borderlands and talk to a journalist who focused on weaponization at the southern border.
Above my head is traditional papel picado which is a traditional Mexican decorative folk art featuring intricate, hand-cut designs made from sheets of tissue paper or plastic. These riddle the street of Oaxaca. However, this was taken at Jalatlaco.
My Host Family and Homestay Experience
The following week, we traveled to Oaxaca City, where my study abroad experience truly began. It was then that I met my host mom and she was the best part of my study abroad experience. At every meal, we would sit together and talk for hours on end. Before my trip, I was not a strong Spanish speaker. Living with my host family forced me to communicate every day, and by the end of the semester I found myself speaking with far more confidence than I ever had in a classroom. This is definitely due to the extensive conversations we had regarding food, Mexican politics, and overall chisme (gossip). Additionally, my host mom and her cook would make amazing meals. I had always heard of the gastronomy in Mexico, but nothing compares to a home-cooked meal. She was very kind and caring. She often asked about my life, parents, and overall well-being. When I think of Oaxaca, I think of her.
My living arrangements were also quite nice. I had a room to myself and a bathroom I shared with one other person. I had plenty of privacy. My room even had an AC unit, which is not common in Mexico. My room was also spacious so if I wanted to invite friends over I could. Whenever I needed to recharge my social battery, call my family/friends, or simply have some peace and quiet, I knew I could go to my room. The funniest part of my room, in my opinion, was the life-size cutout of David Beckham. It turns out my host mom’s daughter was a huge Beckham fan and brought the cutout from the local grocery store. As I’ve settled back into the states, I sometimes stare off into the distance and think about the great time I had at the house I called home in Oaxaca.
The Colorful City
As I walked through the city each day, murals covered walls, storefronts, and public spaces. Some celebrated Oaxacan culture, while others reflected ongoing political struggles. Together, they transformed the city into an open-air gallery that constantly reminded me of Oaxaca's history and resilience. If you’re curious like me, you’ll find out there is a very specific reason as to why this is a norm for the city. Back in 2005, there were teacher protests all over the state advocating for higher pay. Since then, there has been a rise in political art. That art has inspired the continued vibrancy. Whether it's a mural for tourism, political protests, or overall beautification, Oaxaca is a place where art and activism mix regularly.
This is me in Xochimilco sitting on the red bench which features song/poem lyrics written in white paint Daisy
Oaxaca's culture is reflected not only in its art but also in its food. Just as murals tell stories about the region's history and identity, its cuisine offers another window into Oaxacan traditions. However, due to the rise of tourism that has hit Oaxaca in the last ten years, there are definitely some places you should avoid (I’m talking really bad food). But speaking to locals and my host mom, I, along with a group of friends, were able to find food that was delicious and authentic. One of my favorite meals was Tlayudas which is an iconic street food from Oaxaca, Mexico, often described as a "Mexican pizza". It consists of a large, thin, dinner-plate-sized corn tortilla that is toasted or grilled until crunchy, then layered with refried beans, pork lard, lettuce, avocado, salsa, quesillo (Oaxaca cheese), and any meat you want. Additionally, when in Oaxaca, make sure to try the moles as the city is known as the "tierra de los siete moles." My host mom made sure I tried every single one, and while I liked some more than others, I strongly recommend being on the lookout for a food tour or just stepping into Mercado Benito Juarez!
The Tourist Attractions
In Oaxaca, there was always somewhere to visit (besides food lol). Almost every weekend, I explored a different part of the city and state. For example, there are two archeological sites about half an hour away: Monte Alban and Mitla. Monte Alban is definitely bigger and more famous but that does not mean you should disregard Mitla. Furthermore, Oaxaca is also home to so many museums such as the Museum of Cultures, Textile Museum, Museum of Prehispanic Art, Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Museum of Philately (post stamps). I, unfortunately, did not visit every single one but I did explore the vast majority of them. But if you’re not so interested in academics, there are still other sites to explore.
Here I am in front of Monte Alban right outside the City of Oaxaca.
Have you ever watched the movie Nacho Libre? A small snippet of the movie is filmed at los Arquitos located in Xochimilco, a part of Oaxaca City! Right near the filming location, there is also a bench with phrases which has become popularized due to its iconic red paint with white lyrics from famous poems and songs (it even has an instagram page). And right down the street, there is a Stone Cross that many tourists ensure is a stop on their trip. And if you take a 20 minute walk, you’ll find the barrio of Jalatlaco which features more street murals, but it’s also home to very popular restaurants and souvenir shops! However, if you’re looking for something more laid back, there are plenty of Mezcal tours and beaches awaiting you! The most popular beaches are about 3-5 hour bus rides away but if you have a free weekend, you should definitely make the trip! Puerto Escondido and Huatulco are beautiful sites where you can swim, surf, or just rest.
Overall, Oaxaca proved to be more than I expected. Thanks to the friends I made along the way, I stepped out of my comfort zone and embraced life in Mexico. The semester challenged me academically, culturally, and personally. More importantly, it reminded me that some of the most meaningful learning happens outside the classroom. I am very grateful to have been a part of the 2026 Spring Semester Cohort of SIT: Mexico.
