Going to Huatulco for spring break was the current best experience of my life. It was my first time on a plane, and my first time out of the country. 

After telling family and friends where I’d be going I received a ton a negative comments about safety mostly because of the stigma placed on Mexico. When I landed all of those preconceived notions were put to rest. The beautiful palm trees, and clear blue water were nothing short of a picture in a brochure and neither I nor my counterparts encountered no safety concerns. Smelling the fresh air, and experiencing the perfect 80 + degree weather never got too hot. 

My initial motivation to applying for a study abroad was to travel for Spring Break and do some community service but it ended up being so much more than that. My agency did service for Frida Kahlo Preschool. While ​​​​​​​there, we contributed to putting up a new fence for the students as well as painted the walls a pastel yellow, and played games with the children like Pato Pato (duck duck goose) and Simon Says. In that week span I got so close with my peers and the students and staff at Frida Kahlo preschool.

Language was a barrier though. I’ve studied Spanish in the past but I’m not nearly fluent. This program propelled my interest in furthering my Spanish and potentially becoming fluent as well as making me more open to meeting new people. 

I’m an introverted individual so going on this program with a ton of people I didn’t know frightened me. ​​​​​​​ Studying abroad in Huatulco immersed me into a culture that I was completely unfamiliar with…drinking horchata (rice milk), fruit water, and amazing spicy chicken tacos with beans and original salsa. I was taken out of my comfort zone and it allowed me to see the relationship between me and people with completely different backgrounds starting with my peers and ending with the residents of Huatulco. I snorkeled in the Pacific Ocean, visited the Cascadas Waterfalls, and went to the beach daily. 

I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world!

Larry J. Johnson II​​​​​​​
International Engagement in Huatulco, Mexico
Spring Break 2019