In my University years, going abroad on an exchange was the most popular thing among students, and I saw many trying hard to get international scholarships. To be honest, I also thought that was the easiest way to leave the country. But I was wrong.
Although I was also one of those who sought to get the best grades (not so much to leave the country, but simply because I had the habit since high school), seeing the great interest of my classmates and my brother in traveling made me think that I could also try it.
However, the competition was tough. Most students applied to Spain because it was the only country one could go to in Europe with just the Spanish language, but if I wanted to go to another country, I needed to speak English. And I didn’t speak the language at all. So the only thing I could do was either compete with the thousands of students who would leave to Spanish-speaking countries, or force myself to learn English in my 20s. Crazy.

A trip that changed my way of thinking

At that time, a scholarship to improve English in Canada was launched by the university. Many students applied, as they accepted those with an A2 level, which many did. Even I, who hardly spoke at all.
But if you think that I managed to get the scholarship and went to Canada to study English, unfortunately, this is not one of those student success stories. My application was actually rejected, like many others. But my brother, who also applied for the same call, managed to get one of those scholarships. Of course, there was a feeling of frustration. But there was nothing I could do but accept the reality.

“Unfortunately this is not one of those student success stories. I was actually rejected for my application”

However, seeing that my brother was leaving and I was not, my parents suggested me to ask someone I met if they knew someone who lived in Canada so I could go as well. And I thought it was a crazy idea, but in the end, I had nothing to lose by trying it.
All my friends lived in Mexico, and meeting someone in another country was highly unlikely unless you have left the country. And that was almost impossible considering that in 2022 there were only 34,000 exchange students from Mexico, that is, 0.03 percent of the entire population, and much less likely if it was precisely living in Canada. But it happened!
My sister’s friend had a friend in Edmonton named Daniel, way up north in the country, but I didn’t care. I sent him a message and, without knowing him, I asked him whether he could host me at his house for five weeks. And even though it sounds incredible, he said “Yes”.
But I didn’t really have much money, just a little saved. But with the support of my parents, I bought the cheapest tickets and left with 250 USD. Almost nothing, but it was all I had. And even with that low budget, I survived with the help of my new friend. And without a doubt, he became one of the best to this day.

Hosting: the secret of traveling

The reality is that when I returned from Canada I did not improve my English that much, since my new friend’s family was Mexican and they only spoke Spanish among themselves. But the most important thing I learned was that, although I lost the scholarship abroad, with the help of another person I was able to live the experience of going to another country, but not just any experience, but with a local who knew the best that I could do in the city.
And I knew the best thing I could do was returning the help by hosting other travelers who had few resources like me and who needed help. But… where to find them?

“(…) with the help of another person I was able to live the experience of going to another country, but not just any experience, but with a local who knew the best that I could done in the city.”

At the same time, my brother returned from Quebec, Canada, and his experiences were different since he went with the money from the university. But, likewise, what he learned was that he could find accommodation thanks to an application called Couchsurfing.
Generally, it’s about finding local people to stay with for free, but the payment is the cultural exchange that your host gets. And what better than to know a little about France, than with a French guy who knows how to cook crepes, and who can make them in my own home! I help him and he teaches me his culture. A good exchange, in my opinion.
But the story did not end here, because a few years later my friend from Canada returned to Mexico, and, with all the gratitude I felt for what he did for me, I undoubtedly offered him and his family hosting, and they accepted it! And fortunately, I had the opportunity to give back a little of what he gave me.

Finally, by helping me, I decided to help him when he needed my help. And at that moment I discovered that gratitude plays a very important role when it comes to traveling, because later I had the opportunity to host more people from all over the world with whom I was able to stay when I left Mexico.
The secret I discovered was to help before traveling, to host first, because the gratitude from the people to whom you offer help multiplies in your life sooner or later. And this gratitude of the people is what has helped me to travel today by becoming a nomad.
The best secret before being a nomad is: help, help, help, and one day someone will help you.

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