I grew up in the south of Mexico, in a state called Chiapas. Before coming to Wales, my life was very focused on studying. I was a physics student, and after I finished my master’s degree, I decided to take some time for myself. I wanted to explore different areas, not only physics, but also myself. I spent around two years doing that, thinking about what I really wanted next. Eventually, I decided to apply for a PhD, and that decision is what brought me here.

The PhD was the main reason, yes, but it wasn’t the only one. I applied outside Mexico because I wanted to know a different place, other than my own country. I always had this feeling that I wanted to meet people with different backgrounds, with different ways of thinking. I really enjoy talking to people who don’t think like me, or don’t live like me. For me, that’s how you learn. That curiosity, I think, is what pushed me the most.

Before coming, I didn’t really know Wales. To be honest, the only thing I knew about the United Kingdom was London, because of movies and series. Wales was not something I knew in depth at all. Some friends and family mentioned that there was a football team from Swansea, and that was about it. When I told people where I was going, they were like, “Oh, there’s a team from there,” and I was like, “I don’t really know anything. I just know I’m going there.” I knew it was part of the UK, and that was enough at the time.

I arrived in London first, because that’s where the main UK airport is, and then I came straight to Wales. I didn’t travel around before. Swansea became my first city outside my country. Actually, my first city outside Mexico in my whole life. That’s something I still think about a lot.

I’ve been in Swansea for almost two years now. I arrived in October 2023, and since then, life here has been a combination of many things. At the beginning, it was definitely challenging. One of the first difficulties was the accent. I wasn’t used to it at all, and I couldn’t understand much of what people were saying to me. I think that would have happened in any non-Spanish-speaking country, but it still felt overwhelming.

Being here without my family and friends was also very hard. I spent a lot of time with myself, more than I ever had before. Sometimes it was scary, sometimes it felt strange. When I got sick for the first time here, it really hit me. Back home, when you’re sick, your family is always there, asking how you are, taking care of you. Here, it was very different. Those moments made me realise how far away I was.

But after that first period, things started to change. I met new people, not only from Wales, but from many different countries. That was something very beautiful for me. I started visiting places around Wales too – the Gower, Langland, Caswell, Rhossili, Margam Park, Cardiff. I don’t even remember all the places now, but I remember how they made me feel.

One memory that really stands out is a trip to Langland. The views were beautiful, but what made it special was meeting someone there, a woman from Italy. We talked a lot and had a great time together. After that, we even travelled to Bristol. When she later left Swansea, she gave me some of her things before leaving the country. That small gesture meant a lot to me, and it’s something I still remember with warmth.

I also remember one of my Welsh flatmates very clearly. She always talked to me about Welsh culture, Welsh music, and she tried to teach me some Welsh words. She especially tried to correct my pronunciation of place names. I don’t know if I ever got them right, but I remember her patience and her pride in sharing her culture with me.

What I miss most about home is my family and friends. Some weekends, I still get this strong feeling of wanting to visit them, to just show up and spend time together, but they’re not close, so I can’t. Video calls help, but they’re not the same. I also miss the weather, the people, and especially the food. Authentic Mexican food is very hard to find here. I try to cook for myself and recreate some flavours, but it’s never exactly the same.

At the same time, there are things in Wales that remind me of home. Nature, especially. Being surrounded by trees, the sea, and sometimes even the sun, makes me feel welcome. It reminds me that I’m not alone. “Whenever I am surrounded by trees and the sea, I feel like I belong somewhere,” and that feeling has helped me a lot.

When I think about the future, my dreams are very simple. I just want to be okay with myself. To stay connected with my family and friends, and to understand myself better. Sometimes I feel lost, but I think many people feel that way. “The only thing I want is to be safe and to be okay,” and that feels like enough.

If there’s one thing I want people to understand from my story, it’s this: we are capable of many things. Looking back, I would never have imagined myself living alone in another country, exploring new places by myself. But here I am. “Our body and our minds are capable of many things, even when we think they’re not.” Sometimes you just have to try, and then you realise how far you can actually go.

I’m very grateful to be here. Grateful for the people I’ve met, the places I’ve seen, and the version of myself that is still growing. Wales is now part of my story, and I’m glad it is.