Ireland and Mexico: Two Trips, One Heart

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In this week's blog, I want to reflect on the similarities and differences between my trips to Ireland and Mexico. Both gave me such a beautiful insight into the parts of my identity I hadn’t fully experienced before, and I’m so grateful to have these memories to look back on. These trips will always hold a special place in my heart.

The biggest similarity between the two trips was how much they centered around family. Meeting relatives for the first time was such a big deal for me. In Ireland, I spent a day with two of my aunts and one of my cousins, making memories I’ll cherish forever. But in Mexico, I got to spend over a week with my dad’s entire side of the family. It was incredible. By the end of the trip, it felt like I’d known them my whole life—it was so comfortable and natural like I’d grown up surrounded by them.

Another similarity was how much these trips helped me connect to my heritage. In Ireland, I soaked up the vibrant energy of Dublin, stayed on the historic Trinity College campus, and got to enjoy live music at a pub. In Mexico, I embraced my dad’s hometown by trying authentic foods like tamales and pozole, visiting my grandparents’ ranch, and even seeing the schools my dad went to as a kid. Both trips left me feeling so connected to where I come from and made me want to go back and explore even more.

Of course, there were some differences too. The main reason for each trip was different—my Ireland trip was part of a study abroad program through Bradley University, where I got to take a creative writing class. Mexico was a more personal trip, a Christmas gift from my parents so I could finally meet my family there and learn more about my dad’s side.                        

Each trip had its own challenges. In Ireland, I had to deal with travel hiccups like lost luggage and layovers that felt like they’d never end. In Mexico, I faced delays from a snowstorm in Chicago and had to figure out my way through the Mexico City airport, which was a little stressful.

The atmosphere of the two trips couldn’t have been more different. In Ireland, I was in the middle of Dublin, a lively and bustling city full of history and charm. In Mexico, I was in a rural town surrounded by nature and a close-knit community. I loved both settings for different reasons, but there was something so special about how vibrant and creative Mexico felt, with artisan shops and traditions everywhere you looked.

            Looking back, I can’t even put into words how much these trips meant to me. I’m so glad I got to take them now, at this age because if I had gone when I was younger, I don’t think I would have appreciated them as much as I do now. These memories will always be part of me, and I can’t wait to add more chapters to this journey as I keep exploring where I come from and the amazing cultures that make me who I am.