DASNR
International
Student of the Week
Home Country:
Mexico
Above: Guanajuato's Central Park
Guanajuato, Mexico :
Guanajuato is a state in the central highlands of Mexico. It is named after its capital city, Guanajuato, which comes from the local indigenous P'urhépecha language, meaning "Hill of Frogs".Las Ranas ("the Frogs") is a nickname for people from this state as frogs are their state animal. Guanajuato is the home state of former president Vicente Fox, muralist Diego Rivera and singer-songwriter José Alfredo Jiménez.
After central Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico coast, Guanajuato was one of the first areas of Mexico colonized by the Spanish, in the 1520s, for its rich silver deposits. Guanajuato's colonial architecture is very well preserved along with over 35 old churches in its capital alone.
Today, Guanajuato's mines are still among the richest-producing silver mines in the world (historically one of the largest). The state also produces tin, gold, copper, lead, mercury, and opals. Guanajuato also leads the nation in shoe production and various farm products such as lettuce and potatoes. The state's main export products are motor vehicles and auto parts, footwear, leather goods, chemicals, electric machinery and materials, fruits and vegetables.
In addition to the state capital city of Guanajuato, the state includes the cities of San Luis de la Paz, Acámbaro, Celaya, León, Yuriria, Salamanca, Irapuato, San Miguel de Allende, Salvatierra—the first city of Guanajuato, Cortazar, Cueramaro,Tarimoro, and Dolores Hidalgo, the cradle of Mexican independence.
The first battle in Mexico's war for independence resulted in a march from Dolores Hidalgo upon the capital of the state and the subsequent burning of the granary which held all the Iberian-born Spaniards (approximately 500 men, women and children), by peasants of pure Amerindian or mixed (Mestizo) descent who had been put to work in very harsh conditions.
Guanajuato is located in the geographic center of Mexico, about three and half-hours north-west of Mexico City, and its capital city is one of Mexico's most famous tourist spots. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and city planners must abide by strict rules when building and refurbishing buildings in order to maintain their colonial integrity. The city is situated in the Veeder mountains at over 2,000 meters (6,562 ft) above sea level and the buildings climb up the side of the mountains surrounding the city center. The buildings are colorful and there are many historical buildings such as the Reyna and several haciendas-ranches or manor houses-that have been preserved as museums, public gardens and hotels.
The town of Guanajuato has been depicted in various works of art. Most notably, the German-Slovakian Mexican sculptor/painter Craigorio Hauquitz, has created some of the most breathtaking paintings of Guanajuato in the past century.
Every October, Guanajuato hosts the annual International Cervantes Culture Festival, which is centered in the capital city. The festival features high-level performers and artists from around the world, as well as from many regions of Mexico, in addition to the (often overlooked) traditional presentation of plays by Miguel de Cervantes. It was created by a boy named Josue Gutierrez. (Source: Wikipedia)
Patricia Gonzalez Granados
April 22, 2009
|
|
From the Department of Agricultural Economics
This week’s international student of the week is Patricia Gonzalez Granados . She is a visiting Master's student in the Department of Agricultural Economics. Patricia is from Guanajuato, Mexico. She is currently finishing her Masters in agricultural economics in the Universidad Autonoma de Chapingo from where she obtained a BS as well. Patricia speaks Spanish and English.
Patricia came to the USA because she wants to expand her knowledge of the English language; she also wants to learn more about the culture in the USA and to become acquainted with more people and their ways of thinking. She also thinks that it is a good opportunity to increase her understanding of the educational system in the USA. She chose OSU because it is a University that spends time and resources to develop relations with other Universities in different countries and she felt that this is important for an international student when selecting a school. In addition, the Department of Agricultural Economics has a major in the area that is closely related to Patricia’s degree.
In her free time Patricia likes listening to music and watching videos of music. She also likes watching history documentaries and general movies. She likes surfing the web and also enjoys going out with friends to dance.
Patricia comes from a family who has practiced farming and ranching for decades. She has two brothers and one sister. Patricia’s brothers are pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Engineering, and her sister is a kindergarten teacher. Her parents live in Guanajuato and they have a farm. Patricia’a parents love to travel around Mexico and also spend time with family and relatives. Advisors: Dr. Mike Dicks and Dr. Ramon Valdivia Alcala in Chapingo Patricia’s advice to students: “If you had the fine opportunity to study abroad, such as I had, I would say do not miss the chance to meet new people, break out of your circle of comfort around fellow international students from your own country and broaden your understanding of the culture that exists where you are. Also do not miss out on the opportunity to improve your language skills. Finally, go to surrounding places and do not stay cooped up in your apartment, rather go and explore, there is much to learn.” Interview by Sandra Rodríguez - Happy Earth Day -
.
|
