This past summer, four rising sophomores had the incredible opportunity to study at El Tecnológico de Monterrey, one of Mexico’s most prestigious universities. Nataly Montemayor, Emily Sanchez, David Nagy, and I represented Notre Dame through this experience.
Over six transformative weeks, I immersed myself in challenging courses, explored vibrant cities, forged lifelong friendships, and discovered meaningful ways to give back to the Latino community. What started as an academic adventure quickly became a journey of growth, connection, and unforgettable experiences.
The two courses I took were called Business Globalization and Mexican Politics. Both of these courses were incredibly rewarding, allowing me to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between Mexico and other countries, particularly in the United States. In my Mexican Politics course, we had multiple guest speakers ranging from congressmen to attorneys. This course was particularly eye-opening because it helped me realize that Mexicans in both the U.S and Mexico share one important thing: community.
My Business Globalization course was equally inspiring. It challenged me to think outside the box, developing presentations on potential markets Mexico could enter. One of my favorite aspects of this course was my classmates, who came from diverse countries including France, Canada, and South Korea. Our professor also enriched the experience by sharing real-world insights from his own organic, free-trade coffee business. He explained the importance of ethical sourcing, strategies for entering new markets, and the challenges of being a business owner.
Outside of the classrooms, the three other ILS students and I volunteered at Fundación Kristen, a nonprofit organization that supports children in Mexico with heart conditions. The foundation assists with their medical needs and also provides resources for families, including food pantries and therapy. While some of us spent hours digitizing medical records, transitioning them into an organized online database, others had the privilege of interacting directly with the patients and their families.
Leaving Querétaro, I keep thinking about the warmth that seemed to shine from both the sun and the people. Each day began with the familiar “bonito día,” a simple phrase that carried so much kindness. It reminded me that beauty isn’t just found in the places you visit, but in the way people make you feel.
I could not have imagined a better experience for my first summer with ILS. I am deeply grateful for the meaningful relationships I built, the chance to immerse myself in a culture I love dearly, and the opportunity to serve a community I am proud to call my own.
The ILS partnership with El Técnologico de Monterrey dates back to 2018 when four students participated in a leadership conference on the main campus (pictured at right). ILS sponsored six students to attend the same conference in Mexico City in 2019, once again fostering engagement with 200 Mexican undergraduates.
A formal relationship was developed with the university to offer business and pre-med courses over the summer, and maximize the benefits of doing community-based work at the Red Cross and local medical system. For students interested in using and enhancing their Spanish-speaking capabilities, this was an ideal summer internship. This partnership evolved into a biennial summer immersion program, starting in 2023.
ILS will offer it again, to Latino Studies supplementary majors and minors, in 2027.