Amira Habane, a Queen Mary University of London Medicine student, took advantage of our GO Summer! programmes to indulge a life-long interest in Latin America by studying at Tec de Monterrey in Mexico – and it didn’t disappoint!

How One Email Took Me to Mexico and Changed My Summer (and Maybe My Life) 

When I first got the email about GO Summer! opportunities, I skimmed past it. I assumed it was the usual — Europe, America, nothing too different. But then I saw Mexico on the list. I’d always been curious about Latin America, its culture, music, and resilience. So, I applied. A few months later, I was on a plane to Mexico City. Now, after four weeks of learning, exploring, dancing, and reflecting, I can honestly say: it was the best summer of my life. 

From Zero Spanish to Cultural Immersion 

I arrived with zero Spanish and a lot of excitement. I’d never been to Latin America before despite it being somewhere I had wanted to visit for so long. The programme I chose was called “Beyond Borders” and focused on migration, memory, and human rights; it promised both academic depth and real-world engagement. As part of the programme, we travelled to four very different cities each week: Mexico City, Puebla, Chiapas, and Querétaro, each with its own rhythm, beauty, and complexity. 

The classes helped frame what we saw: how migration isn’t just about borders, but about politics, power, and survival. From standing at the river dividing Mexico and Guatemala to hearing about the Zapatista movement in Chiapas, I learned how deeply migration is linked to dignity and identity. But more than that, I saw how people resist: through food, art, music, and everyday acts of care. 

In one shelter, I remember hearing a woman say: “We don’t migrate for fun. We migrate to live.” That line stayed with me. So did a documentary we watched about Las Patronas — women who cook food for migrants riding freight trains through Veracruz. One of them said, “If he doesn’t have a mother, I’ll be his mother.” That’s the kind of quiet power I’ll never forget. 

Joy, Salsa, and Waterfalls 

Weekends were magical. Whether it was salsa dancing in downtown Puebla, visiting the breathtaking Cascada El Chiflón in Chiapas, or playing lotería while eating arepas in Querétaro; I was constantly surrounded by beauty, laughter, and connection. On the programme I met people from around the world who are now friends for life. The locals were also so welcoming, always happy to teach, guide, or just talk. 

Despite arriving with zero Spanish, my understanding improved so much that by the end, I could order food, ask directions, and chat with locals. It’s motivated me to continue learning Spanish seriously now that I’m back in London, because I know I’ll be returning to Mexico and Latin America soon. 

I danced, I laughed, I explored ruins and rode city tour buses and even ended up performing with a mariachi band in Querétaro (yes, really). I tried foods I’d never even heard of, from mole poblano to tamales with my favourite Mexican drink (horchata) always in hand. Every moment added to a mosaic of joy, curiosity, and belonging. 

A New Perspective on Medicine 

As a medical student, this experience opened my eyes to the deeper realities shaping health and wellbeing. I realised that being a good doctor isn’t just about diagnosing and treating, it’s about understanding context. If I want to work with migrant or underserved communities in the future (which I do), I need to be aware of the traumas and systems they’ve navigated. I want to become fluent in Spanish and, one day, work with organisations like Médecins Sans Frontières to provide culturally sensitive care and advocate for those too often ignored. 

Thank You, GO Summer! 

This entire experience wouldn’t have been possible without GO Summer! Coming from a low-income background, I never imagined I’d get the chance to travel across Mexico and study something so meaningful.  

Final Reflections 

This wasn’t just a summer school, it was a turning point. I laughed, I learned, I danced, I grew. Mexico showed me its beauty, its pain, and its soul and I feel lucky to have seen it all. 

If you’re thinking about applying to GO Summer! my advice is simple: just do it. You don’t need perfect Spanish or a full plan, just an open mind. I promise you’ll come back changed.