Program: Summer Study Abroad in Mexico
When Kaylan McCann first heard about StudyAbroad.com’s program in Cuernavaca, Mexico, she never imagined it would change the way she saw the world—and herself. Drawn by the city’s vibrant culture, warm community, and the chance to immerse herself in Spanish, Kaylan took a leap of faith and boarded a plane to a place she’d never been. What she found was more than just a study abroad program—it was a home away from home, complete with a welcoming host family, colorful streets, and experiences that pushed her to grow in confidence and independence. Read on to hear directly from Kaylan about her summer study abroad experience in Mexico!
Why did you decide to study abroad?
It’s funny because I never really considered studying abroad before. To me, it was something a select few people did that required a ton of time, effort, and money. Like an elite club. Not something “regular people” could do.
After getting my associate’s degree at community college I transferred to a four-year university. One day during my first semester, I heard they were doing a study abroad fair. Now, I couldn’t tell you why I decided to go. Maybe because I wanted to start a Spanish minor. Maybe because living at university was my first taste of independence and I craved more. Maybe there was a secret gas leak that made me go crazy. But I went!
Now, if you know me, you know I don’t usually talk to people. The entire study abroad fair was talking to people. There were representatives from multiple programs that offered study abroad, internships, and volunteering in places like England, Spain, Vietnam, Argentina, Australia… if it sounds overwhelming, it’s because it was.
But as I moved around the room, this idea of studying abroad planted its roots in my brain and only began to grow. (The gas leak idea is starting to sound more plausible.) I knew I wanted to go to a Spanish-speaking country because I wanted to immerse myself in the culture and language, and up my Spanish level. I also wanted to put myself in this new, uncomfortable situation of studying abroad so I could improve my confidence, independence, and trust in myself.
So I went back to my dorm, looked on my university’s website, and found StudyAbroad.com. I decided to go to Mexico because I have people dear to my heart from there, and I was always interested in their culture and dialect. I hit “apply,” and the rest is history.
What was your first impression when you arrived?
It might sound strange, but at first I was captivated by the buildings. They were in so many different colors and sizes, and it made everything seem brighter. I grew up in suburbia with all the same bland, one-story houses lined up like dominos on each block. So the vibrancy really blew me away.
When I arrived, my host family was so kind and welcoming. They showed me my room and told me more family members would come over for a Father’s Day celebration in the early afternoon. Despite not sleeping the night before due to an early flight, I didn’t want to rest, and spent the time in the living room listening to their conversations and answering their questions like where I was from, how old I was, and what I was studying.
When lunch rolled around, we went outside and multiple family members started to cook. On a small, old-fashioned grill they charred carne asada and served sides such as rice and beans. I also met the other American students in the house. It was a relief seeing other people from my country who understood the mix of emotions I was feeling. My host family talked and joked with each other and with us. In a new country with people that spoke a foreign language, hundreds of miles away from home, this moment helped me relax and feel at ease with my new living situation.
What did a typical day look like for you abroad?
Throughout the week I got up at 7 a.m. to prepare for school. Although, if I’m being honest, I usually got out of bed around 7:15 or 7:20. I am not a morning person. My host family always made us breakfast to eat before we left, with foods such as molletes, pancakes, scrambled eggs with ham, and more, served with fruit, yogurt, or Jello. Now, I said that I wasn’t a morning person—I’m not a breakfast person either. But the food my host family made was sooooo good. It’s one of the main things I miss about being there.
Thankfully the university was a short walk away from my home, so I had a little bit of time to kill before walking to school. Sometimes I spent it finishing the homework I didn’t do the night before (oops.)
My first class was grammar, and we learned a variety of topics such as preterite and imperfect, prepositions, and the dreaded subjunctive. After that, I had a conversational practice class. Both classes were completely in Spanish, which was a bit jarring to me at first. But part of the study abroad experience is adjusting to unfamiliar situations, which can be uncomfortable. After the second week I already felt a lot more confident in my Spanish ability.
When I got back home my family made a delicious lunch. In Mexico, lunch and dinner are switched—lunch is the biggest meal of the day while dinner is something small or a snack. Some lunch foods included tacos, dorados of potato, mole, and pasta. Again, I’m still here dreaming about the food.
Afterwards I hung out with my friend Ernesto at various places, such as the local park, the center, or whatever we felt like doing that day. We’d often buy food or drinks from the many market stalls gathered in the center, and even made friends with the ice cream sellers. If you go to the center, it’s right in front of the Palace of Cortes! It’s near the statue, and the stall has a green overhang. Definitely recommend!
Usually we’d take the bus back to my home, which was not for the faint of heart. The rides can be very bumpy, and if you’re unlucky, the bus can be packed full of people. But hey, it’s the authentic Mexican road experience. You can also take Uber, which is cheaper than in the US and more comfortable than the bus. But if you’re feeling brave, check the window of the bus to see where it’s going and hold your arm up like you’re hailing a taxi if you want to board.
Once I returned home, I’d get ready for the next day.
What was your favorite class, excursion, or program experience?
One excursion I went to was Teotihuacan, which was home to the Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon. It was amazing to be in a place that had such long-standing roots in history. The city predates both the Mayans and the Aztecs, although the Aztecs later came there. There were many temples around the city, but the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon are most noticeable due to their height and historical significance.
I climbed the Pyramid of the Moon, and to my embarrassment I had to use the guard rail up and down. The steps were steep but also narrow, and I was terrified of tripping and falling down the stairs like Looney Tunes. But the view was worth it. On top you can see the other temples, green trees, rolling hills, and the beautiful sky.
If you’re interested in history, archaeology, or just want to see something cool, mark Teotihuacan on your bucket list. And make sure to bring a sombrero and sunscreen, because the sun is no joke. Sincerely, your favorite sunburned white girl.
What surprised you most about living in a new country?
When I got there, I noticed there weren’t any people that looked like me outside of the university. Which sounds obvious, right? Part of the point of studying abroad is to meet people that are different from you. I think living in the US has accustomed me to seeing many different people from numerous walks of life. Mexico is a lot more homogenous, and I experienced what it was like to be that different person.
Many kids stared at me, and even some adults too. Which was actually kind of entertaining to me, but I wasn’t expecting it. I appreciated this new perspective of being a foreigner in an unfamiliar country, trying to accustom yourself to their culture and language, because now I understand more how people feel visiting or immigrating to the US.
What advice would you give someone thinking about studying abroad?
If it’s worth doing, do it, [even if you’re] scared.
And I think studying abroad is always worth doing.
My family didn’t really support me going to Mexico because they were scared something would happen to me. I value their opinion, so that put me on the fence for a while before I finally decided I was going to do it.
Even when I committed, I was still terrified while sitting on the plane, heading towards the unknown. Now I’m back home and I feel proud of myself for making that decision despite my anxiety.
I’m grateful I had this experience, and that I trusted in myself and followed my heart. So even if your loved ones don’t have your back, listen to your heart and trust what you want. If there’s no one else, the people at your university or study abroad program will be there to encourage you and help you through the process.
What do you wish you had known before going?
I wish I took more time to practice my Spanish and listen to native speakers. Spanish class in school gave me a good foundation, but nothing beats real conversation.
I also wish I’d known to keep smaller bills on me. The ATMs gave me a lot of 500 peso bills, which is inconvenient for people to make change for if you have a smaller purchase. Especially in the center, not many shops are willing to exchange bills for smaller ones. Make sure to keep cash on you, because paying with a card isn’t as common or convenient there.
And finally, studying abroad is an amazing experience, but most likely it isn’t going to be sunshine and rainbows all the time. I was nervous, missed home, felt embarrassed when I couldn’t understand someone, and made mistakes. I wish I was kinder to myself and understood I wasn’t wrong or weird for feeling these things. You’ll find your rhythm.
Anything else you want to share about your experience?
I do want to mention that currently there’s a lot of news about how dangerous Mexico is. Like I mentioned, my family wasn’t happy about me going because they were afraid something bad would happen to me.
I felt completely safe and welcomed during my time in Cuernavaca. When I was trying to do research on the area, I didn’t see many tourists talk about whether they felt safe there. Luckily StudyAbroad.com put me in contact with a previous participant, who told me about her experience and soothed some of my worries. I hope this helps if you’re also considering the Cuernavaca program.
I advise doing your own research on a country or area you’re considering studying abroad in. If you can, search for people online or in person that either currently live there or have recently visited and ask about their experience. Statistics can give you a glimpse into safety, but I find it doesn’t tell the whole story. No matter where you are, remember to take precautions and build a safety net through your host family, local friends, your school, and your program. You’re your number one advocate.
Kaylan’s time in Cuernavaca was more than an academic adventure—it was a transformative chapter filled with laughter, cultural connection, and moments of self-discovery. From tackling Spanish-only classes to climbing ancient pyramids and sharing meals with her host family, she embraced every part of the experience. Her story is a testament to what makes StudyAbroad.com’s Cuernavaca program so special: the perfect blend of language immersion, cultural richness, and genuine community. As Kaylan puts it, even if you’re scared, “If it’s worth doing—do it.”
