Student from the State of Mexico Nears Graduation After Building a New Life in Nuevo León
Four years ago, Saúl Díaz, originally from the State of Mexico, arrived in Nuevo León without knowing the state, determined to study Marketing at the Autonomous University of Nuevo León (UANL). This Monday, he began his ninth and final semester of college.
At 22 years old, the Faculty of Communication Sciences student said that leaving his hometown to move to Monterrey, despite the uncertainty at first, became one of the most important and rewarding decisions of his life.
“These have been four years of learning. I arrived without really knowing the city or what to expect, and I think it has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” he shared.
In an interview with ABC Noticias, Saúl explained that although he had his mother’s support, he decided to work to help cover his expenses. While balancing work and school was challenging, he said that the flexibility of both his jobs and the university allowed him to stay organized.
“I started working as a waiter, bartender, and in similar jobs. Little by little I moved into positions related to my degree, and now, even before graduating, I already have a stable job that I enjoy, and I work from home,” he said.
He currently spends between 8,000 and 10,000 pesos per month on rent, food, and other living expenses. When he first arrived in Monterrey in 2022, he spent around 7,000 pesos per month, sharing an apartment with a roommate.
Saúl recalled that his first day of classes at the Mederos Campus felt strange because most of his classmates already knew each other from middle or high school, while students from other states had to start from scratch.
“All of us who came from other states stayed a little apart from those who already knew each other, but little by little we got closer and built friendships,” he remembered.
Just months away from graduation, he admitted feeling excited about the next stage of his professional life while also feeling nostalgic about leaving university behind.
“Honestly, I feel very excited and happy. I don’t know when four years went by. I’m a completely different person from the one who arrived here. It’s also bittersweet because you get used to your routine, your friends, and the university,” he said.
For Saúl, the greatest challenge of studying far from home has been the distance from his family and missing important occasions.
He also said that what he misses most about his hometown is the food prepared by his mother and grandmother, although he tries to visit them during school breaks.
Looking back at the young man who arrived in Monterrey four years ago, Saúl said he would give himself a simple message:
“I would tell myself that everything has been worth it and not to give up. There will be very difficult moments when you’ll want to quit, but you just have to keep going because, in the end, it’s all worth it.”
After completing his studies in December, Saúl plans to remain in Nuevo León to continue developing his professional career, convinced that the state offers greater employment opportunities.
Source: abcnoticias
