Meet Your Advisor - Diana Meza
Meet Diana, the USAC Program Advisor for Spain: Bilbao, San Sebastian, and Valencia. Learn more about her, below!
Where did you study abroad?
San Sebastián, Spain
What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?
My favorite memory comes from visiting Pamplona, Spain! I took a little trip there with some of my classmates because a children’s book we translated had recently been published, and the author and narrator held a Q&A session at a book fair. It was great to share in their success as they showcased our work. After the event, they gave us a personal tour of the city. Pamplona has such a beautiful charm to it and so much history. I always think of that day fondly.
What is your favorite place you have traveled to and why?
I love Mexico City, Mexico! My goal was to study abroad again once I was back home from Spain, but the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t allow for it. Instead, after I graduated in December of 2021, a close friend and I decided to book a homestay in Mexico City. I loved every minute of it. The city is incredibly beautiful — there is so much to see and do there. I met the friendliest people, the food and drinks were delicious, and the history is incredibly rich and diverse. It’s also very close to a few magical towns that just feel surreal. It made me extremely proud of my heritage.
What is your funniest travel memory?
Fun fact: It wasn’t until my study abroad trip that I celebrated Thanksgiving for the first time. My family never really got into this American holiday growing up. So, when my USAC friends wanted to do Friendsgiving while overseas, I jumped at the chance to be a part of it. The only problem was that it meant I would have to cook something, and I hate cooking. Still, with courage in my heart, I called my mom and asked her for her enchilada recipe. I wanted to bring something Mexican to the meal. Part of the recipe called for a pinch — a tiny bit — of cinnamon to make the red sauce a little less hot. I forgot this detail; instead, I added a huge tablespoon of the spice. The pot of tomato sauce tasted like I poured a pumpkin spice latte into it. My friend Laurel and I panicked and started throwing more spices in the pot, hoping to fix it. As you can guess, it did not work, and eventually we just prayed that the cinnamon flavor would reduce while the enchiladas were baking. I don’t know why we assumed this would work. Anyway, they were a little sweet, but when we asked everyone to rate their favorite dish of the Friendsgiving meal, my enchiladas scored the best! I guess it all worked out.
If you could go on any USAC program, what would it be and why?
I have a fantasy about attending all of them periodically, which is why I was desperate to go abroad again. But, if given the green light to go anywhere right now, I’d have to say Israel. It’s a part of the world that I’ve never been to and has so much history. I’d also love to learn a completely different language from the ones I speak now, and the intensive Hebrew language program is enticing. Another reason to go is that their yummy cuisine has quite a few vegetarian options.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I enjoy hiking, reading, and watching movies — I love Marvel, psychological thrillers, and mysteries. I also like adding stuff to my Happiness Board.
What is a weird fact about you?
I genuinely love ASMR and watch it almost every night to help me sleep. It’s really not that weird, I swear.
What’s on your bucket list?
So many things! Here are some goals that I hope to achieve within the next five years: Write a book, live in another country (again), learn a new language, and go ghost hunting.
What’s a meme that describes your life?
Contact Diana
Diana Meza
(she/her)
Program Advisor
Programs: Bilbao, San Sebastian, and Valencia