What Mexican city should I study abroad in?

Question

I'm planning on studying abroad next year, most likely in the spring from like january to may sometime and I'd like to go somewhere in Mexico. The main point in me going is to improve my Spanish & hopefully become fluent but I also am excited to simply live on my own in another country & get to know a new culture and all that goes along with it! I'm looking at living in either Puebla, Guanajuato, Xalapa, Monterrey, Oaxaca, Guadalajara, or Mérida. I've heard really good things about the state of Veracruz so I'm thinking about possibly Xalapa but I still don't know! Has anyone lived in any of these cities? Could you tell me something about any of them, what it was like to live there? what are the people like? how big is it? things to do? weather? culture? would it be easy for me to assimilate & live there? Anything you think would help me make this decision I'd really appreciate to know!

Thanks!

Answer 1

I have been to Guanajuato, and Guadalajara.

I strongly recommend Guanajuato, it is beautiful, and full of rich culture.  The people are very nice, and the climate is great.  Also environmentally it's a good choice, no smog, like in Mexico City.

I will ask you not to choose Guadalajara, it is very crowded, loud and the people are not as nice. It is also second in criminal activity, Mexico City is #1 in criminal activity.

You don't mention Mexico City/Distrito Federal, but you should avoid it.  It is not a safe place for a foreign girl to be living by herself.  I have been to D.F 3 times and all 3 times we were approached by con-artists who tried to "help us"  They know how to target out -of-towners, it's like they have radar or something, they know you are not a local.  Mexico City is the Largest City in the world and has Big City problems, like Contamination/smog, and high crime.  

I apologize if I have offended any Paisanos from Guadalajara of Mexico City, but I am basing my comments on personal experience.

Answer 2

Guadalajara is ver nice

Answer 3

You might want to consider Saltillo....a city high in the Sierra Madre Oriental [Eastern Sierra Mountains] beautiful, cool climate... imagine Albuquerque New Mexico....Lots of parks,universities, 3 major shopping malls...close proximity to the metropolis of Monterrey[although if you want a big crazy city, then Monterrey would be it] professional Baseball team[Saraperos]  profesional basketball team [Lobos] ....it does have it's down side: Public transportation is chaotic, because unlike in the U.S.  different routes are owned by different companies--with the result that some routes have modern buses with polite drivers, while other routes have shabby buses with rude ,out of control drivers. Also, in most Mexican cities it's the outskirts of town[or the Ejidos--agricultural communes] where you will usually find more crime, not the inner city, although you can find trouble in more established inner city neighborhoods as well. Warm hospitable people [for the most part] very patriotic...also lot's of American restaurants: Carl's Jr, McDonald's, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Domino's pizza, Subway......I know a lot about this city because I spent a couple of years here as an ESL teacher...I also know enough about Monterrey....I've never been to Vera Cruz, all I know is that it lies geographically along the gulf coast of Mexico and is climatologically diverse:forests,mountains,jungle,seaport... and beaches...Vera Cruz produces some of the best coffee in the world.....in Mexico..there seems to be a significant disconnect between the taller, usually lighter skinned northerners and the darker southerners.  living in the conservative northern city of Saltillo, I learned that for the most part they do not appreciate  leftist leaning southerners from states like Guerrero, Vera Cruz, Chiapas, Oaxaca etc etc ....there is a lot more I could tell you but I have to get to sleep........zzzzz

Answer 4

i live in monterrey

and i can tell you that it is the most welcoming city in mexico

it has the best technology and the best economy in mexico as well

its a big city but its bery beautiful besides it has a diverse variety of land features including lakes, rivers, mountains, caves, a couple of canyons, and many more

it would also be the easiest city to assimilate to because it has the most english speakers and the best universities

Answer 5

Hi! Ok I have been to all of the cities you are mentioning, and lived in Guadalajara an Puebla.

First of all, I wouldn't recommend Merida as it is extremely hot and humid, you can fly there and visit for a week or so while you are in Mexico, nearby ruins, great beaches, good food, etc; but I wouldn't live there.

Oaxaca is one of the poorest regions of the country, and there's not much to do in the city, go visit as well. Beautiful ruins, churches, embroidery and good food.

Monterrey is nice and has an American influence in food and culture, it can be very hot and dry during the summer. But one of the best universities is there: Tecnologico de Monterrey campus Monterrey.

Xalapa is nice and small, therefore I would think it is safe, it's a cultural city and it's located on top of hills, so for walking you'll need to have a good condition.

Puebla is a big city founded by Spaniards with beautiful buildings and churches, one of the best couisines of the country and many universities. The best one there: Universidad de las Americas, Puebla; it is a very cosmopolita college with people from all over the country and many foreigners as well.

Guadalajara is trendy, big and beautiful, nice people and many universities as well, I'd recommend Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara.

Xalapa, Guadalajara and Puebla enjoy of very nice mild weather all year long.

Good luck with your decision!

Answer 6

Distrito Federal is probably the only safe one.

The gap between rich and poor in Mexico is huge.

The majority of Mexico is under development, but in every struggling country there are a few tycoon families, and these neighborhoods are so rich that you need a permit to enter their gated communities.

Answer 7

Have you checked out this program in Mazatlan Mexico?

Answer 8

I've just visted these cities, but here are my impressions (arranged in order from least favorite to most favorite).

Monterrey--the only one I'd eliminate from the list.

Guadalajara--lovely city but getting more polluted by the day.  There's lots of neat areas to explore around there Tlaquepaque, Tonala, Lake Chapala, Zapopan, Tequila.

Puebla--Nice city, lots of museums, good place to buy things made of onyx. The VW factory is a large part of the economy.  Visit the Cholula pyramid.

Xalapa--also spelled Jalapa on some maps.  Nice town, good classical orchestra.

Mérida--probably the warmest city on the list and bus drivers seems to be competing to see who has the loudest bus.  Visit the Maya ruins of Chichen Itza and Uxmal.

Guanajuato--may need an electric blanket or space heater in January.  Expense-wise, it may be the best bet.  You can take a trip to San Miquel de Allende if you have a desire to speak English.

Oaxaca--my favorite city on the list (more Indian than any other city on the list).  Visit the ruins of Monte Alban and Mitla, and there are many craft towns around the area like  the textile weaving center of Teotitlan del Valle.

Answer 9

viva mexico

Answer 10

Xalapa is a fantastic city for students.  Several large universities here including the University of Veracruz..which has a great program for people who want to learn or improve their Spanish. It is a city of young people, culture, music.  Great climate, lots to do, great bus service, beautiful city.  It is a city  of just under a million people, but does not feel that big...has a European feel in many ways.  Many big flower -lined boulevards...then tiny , narrow, cobblestone streets.  Hundreds of great little restaurants, concerts and events all the time.  There are thousands of international students from all over the world.  You would fit right in.

Answer 11

i've heard amazing accounts and seen wonderful pictures of guanajuato...i wish i could have studied over there.

i have a family member thru marriage, that was born out there, my uncle says its great. very traditional, and the Spanish influence of our ancestors is very evident in this city.