KUE is an incredible place in Krakow to explode one’s best potential as an individual – Juan Diego Huerta Guerrero, a KUE student from Mexico.

There is not only a huge distance between Poland and Latin America, but also a significant difference in cultures, weather conditions and attitude to life. All these challenges had to be overcome by Diego Huerta, who came to Krakow from Mexico and is currently studying International Business at the Krakow University of Economics.

Diego told us about his experience of living far from home, the challenges related to studying in Poland, his motivation and personal development. He also shared his advice, which will be useful for candidates who are currently choosing their own professional path and university.

Welcome Centre: Tell us something about yourself.

Diego Huerta: My name is Diego, I am originally from Guanajuato State in Mexico, where I grew up, but before coming to Krakow I was living in Puerto Vallarta. I am a mechanical engineer, now taking my Master´s degree in International Business here at KUE. I describe myself as a very passionate person, I can´t begin something if I am not strongly attracted to it, and of course, I feel a tremendous responsibility to approach everything to the best of my ability. If you ask me right now, how I am feeling, I will answer that question with a sincere “eager to do better.”

Welcome Centre: Tell us something about your motivation to go to study abroad.

Diego Huerta: As I just mentioned, my enthusiasm frequently pushes me to discover new possibilities, to talk with people about my dreams and how to pursue them. Mainly, my motivation to come and participate in this Master´s programme was to nurture myself in those areas I would like to improve professionally and, believe me, along the way this experience has far exceeded my expectations.

Welcome Centre: What was the most challenging thing for you in the new country and University?

Diego Huerta: Well, I can make a kind of top 10 on the hardest things about living in Poland, but I think all of them are related to cultural gaps. Let me explain a little bit. We Latinos have a very different vision on several aspects of life, from the everyday irrelevant things right up to serious things including future plans or family affairs. So, trying to connect myself and to align my way of thinking with the Polish philosophy has been the hardest part of living here. Unexpectedly, I am not going to moan about the weather, because it is quite a subjective topic; all four seasons of the year are so intense here and all of them are equally beautiful for me.

Welcome Centre: What do you like most at the University and what do you think should be changed?

Diego Huerta: KUE is an incredible place in Krakow to explode one’s best potential as an individual. You know, I deeply believe in the role of formal education to push constant progress in our society. Nowadays, there are a lot of alternative ways to learn, but universities will persist as they are adapting themselves to those challenges, while still managing well in the face of social conflicts or health crises. That´s what I love about KUE, that it is dealing with transformations and transitions very well.

If I could add something, maybe it should be to increase cooperation with Mexican universities, include more of them in programmes like Erasmus+ and develop new engagements to work together on topics like science, finance, arts, culture and many more.

Welcome Centre: Do you think your Polish experience will be helpful to you in the future?

Diego Huerta: By concluding my studies, I am looking forward to being part of an international organisation here in Poland or abroad. I very much appreciate and admire the work being done by UNESCO and UNICEF for example. Thanks to the knowledge and experiences I am acquiring at KUE, my professional profile will be complemented to face such challenges.

Welcome Centre: What would your advice be to other international students or applicants who are still hesitating or feeling uncertain about going abroad?

Diego Huerta: For those who are not yet clear which decision to make regarding studying abroad, I encourage you to go for it, not out of prestige from institutions or careers, but from the deep feeling in their hearts of becoming the person you dream of being. The road is always full of bittersweet moments, and the thumbs are not always up when you are immersed in a very different society in a far-away country. But who said metamorphosis was painless? Results from noble efforts are always filled with satisfaction and studying abroad is the most similar sensation to being the owner of a countless treasure.