Thanks to a French organization, Emilie Sarmento – 19 years old, from the Lyon region – had an exceptional experience: a one-year exchange program in Mexico, in the heart of the state of Chiapas. Between cultural adaptation, academic immersion and life with a host family, her daily life changed radically.
To remember
- Emilie took part in a year-long exchange program in Mexico, far from her hometown of Lyon.
- She lived with three different host families, all friendly and accustomed to welcoming foreign students.
- Her academic immersion took place at the Tecnológico de Monterrey, one of the country’s top institutions.
- Despite security concerns, she experienced no problems whatsoever during her travels.
- Her experience deconstructed many clichés about Mexico (danger, drugs, sombreros…).
- She discovered a country rich in cultural diversity, varied landscapes and human warmth.
An adventure that begins 9,000 km from Lyon
In August 2020, 19-year-old Emilie Sarmento left her life near Lyon for Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the capital of Chiapas, almost 9,000 kilometers from her home. She discovers stifling heat, anarchic traffic and a massive presence of cabs as soon as she arrives.
Leaving 9,000 km away at the age of 19 isn’t just “traveling”: it’s changing your life for a year, and forging your character like nothing else.
Arnaud Joly
Despite her years of Spanish in high school, Emilie was apprehensive about the language barrier. Fortunately, her host parents are fluent in English – having having themselves participated in a student exchange program in the United States.
A trip to Mexico with a host family
During her year, Emilie stayed with three different host families. Since January, she has been living with her second family, which she describes as “a real second home”. Here she rubs shoulders with three foster brothers, aged 9, 15 and 16.
Her foster father runs a cattle farm four hours’ drive from Tuxtla. He only returns for a few days every two weeks. His host mother runs a dormitory for students from other parts of Chiapas.
Mexican host families have a unique way of adopting you as if you’d been there forever.
Arnaud Joly
New school: from Lycée Lyonnais to Tecnológico de Monterrey
Emilie leaves her Lycée Lyonnais to attend the prestigious Tecnológico de Monterrey for a year. The semester begins on August 10, and her rhythm changes radically: “Instead of being in class at 8:30, I have to be there at 7,” she explains.
Her first day is marked by a mixture of strangeness and enthusiasm. The green campus and the warm welcome from the students made it easy for her to settle in.
Mexican campuses are a mixture of rigor and good humor: you learn, but you also live.
Arnaud Joly
Deconstructing clichés about Mexico
Before she left, several friends warned her: “Mexico is dangerous”. Yet Emilie confidently asserts that she has never experienced the slightest problem, in Tuxtla, Mexico City or Guadalajara.
She points out that the French organization never sends students to high-risk areas. She also insists on one point: “Danger exists everywhere, you have to look for it to find it.”
She adds that the cliché “drugs and cartels” does not correspond at all to daily life in the country. And no, not all Mexicans wear sombreros: only mariachis and charros actually do.
Mexico is not a Hollywood movie: it’s a country where normality is kindness and simplicity.
Arnaud Joly
A voyage of discovery
Emilie also discovered that Mexicans don’t drink tequila all the time: they only drink it during family celebrations, along with other beverages.
The months she spent in Mexico profoundly changed her outlook on this country, which she chose almost instinctively. Before she left, she didn’t have a clear argument: “The country attracted me”. Today, she can name a thousand.
She speaks of a country “of great cultural and scenic diversity”, ranging “from deserts to virgin forests”, inhabited by “incredibly friendly people”.
Mexico is a country that takes you by surprise: you come for a year, and leave with a part of you that stays.
Arnaud Joly
Summary table – Emilie’s experience in Mexico
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Length of stay | 1 year (exchange program) |
| City of residence | Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas |
| Host families | 3 families during the year |
| School | Tecnológico de Monterrey |
| Languages spoken | Spanish (improving rapidly), English with families |
FAQ – Student exchanges in Mexico
Are exchange programs in Mexico safe?
Yes, serious organizations never send students to areas considered risky. Major cities and student destinations are generally safe when basic rules are followed.
Do I need to speak Spanish to go on an exchange to Mexico?
No, but having some basic knowledge makes integration easier. Many host families and local students also speak English.
How long does a student exchange in Mexico last?
Most last between 6 months and 1 year, depending on the program. Emilie’s exchange lasted a full year.
Is the Mexican school system difficult?
Schools like the Tecnológico de Monterrey are demanding, but foreign students are generally well supported in their integration.
What are host families like in Mexico?
They’re generally warm, used to welcoming young people from all over the world and very invested in their well-being.
A life-changing experience
Emilie’s year in Mexico transformed her outlook on the world, on herself and on this country rich in color, diversity and humanity.
A student exchange is a gamble: you leave with baggage, you come back with a story.
Arnaud Joly
