The Next Chapter

“Wow.” The words came out as a whisper while I read the offer letter on my computer screen, “I have been accepted to attend the University of Oxford.”

Picture from @compscioxford.

From a young age, I have been curious about the people and the world around me. Intrigued on why people act and react the way that they do. Of course, at a younger age, my world was smaller. First, in Guadalajara, México, where I was born. Later, it grew to an international level when I moved to the state of Georgia in the United States at the age of 9.

In the US, my first best friend was Japanese. Sadly, I had to say good-bye after two years of knowing her because she moved back to Japan with her family. It would not be until 14 years later that Mai and I would finally reunite in Tokyo and Yokohama.

Mai and I, 2003. Peachtree City, Georgia, USA.

Mai (left), her parents (middle) and I, 2018. Yokohama, Japan.

As I have grown older, my curiosity to understand the world and the people in it grows too. I have come to realize that the world sometimes works, and it sometimes, in a catastrophic level, does not. It can be a very complicated and messy place. Particularly, when there are people with different world views that might not see the world for what it is. Therefore, the challenges in today’s society only seem to keep growing.

Misinformation and different realities put our lives at risk, but I believe that most people are more alike than we think. My experience has been that we all ultimately want the same thing. We all want to feel safe, have the best quality of life, give our kids the best education with the hope that they grow into remarkable individuals, and provide our elders and families with care. These realities tend to be universal.

At Oxford, I will be studying diplomacy. A field that I believe is essential for our global survival. The hope and passion I have for the world led me to achieve what did not seem possible.

Now, I understand the world better. I understand that the only way to save us from ourselves is to work together because not one individual (or nation) can do it alone. More than intelligence, we need wisdom. People who are smart, but more importantly, people that want to do the right thing. I see a lot of challenges ahead, but I also see a lot of opportunities. It will be up to us to decide what kind of future we want for ourselves and for the generations that follow.

Mai has allowed me to use the pictures and her name for this blog post.

My New Home: The United Kingdom

In a couple of days my whole world is about to change. Not only because I will be traveling halfway across the world, but because I am going to live there for a couple of months.

The United Kingdom is in the middle of an unprecedented event in European History – no other state has ever left the European Union before – and not even the citizens of the UK – nor their government – know what is going to happen.

The future for the small island is pretty unclear, and after the resignation of David Cameron back in July, Theresa May, the new Prime Minister, has a lot of work ahead.

This will be my first time ever visiting the United Kingdom, and I am intrigued to know what the British people think of such a historical – and almost surprising -- exit.

Not only is this going to be my first time traveling to the UK, but it will be my first time traveling with an American passport. I have gone abroad many times before, but now, I will be traveling as a Mexican and as an American citizen – man, that feels good to say.

As for right now, there is nothing left to write because the adventure is just about to begin. I will make my first stop in Norway, and I will travel to Bergen, Balestrand, Flåm, Myrdal and Oslo. Later, I will fly to London and Oxford, where my new home -- at least for the next few months -- will be waiting.