We all know that people are the same wherever you go

I was very excited when I saw the list of colleagues I would be spending time with during my stay in Mexico. There were so many different countries and cultures represented. I knew there was a requirement that all must speak English but I wasn't sure how well we would communicate even if we did understand the words that were spoken. You all know I have a very different sense of humor and it's not always easily understood. I am well acquainted with sarcasm and I wasn't sure how well that would translate for those to whom English is a secondary language.

It's important to me that people think I'm funny and only a lack of understanding would prevent that.

What a fantastic discovery to find such down-to-earth and "regular" people among my fellow students. Despite the difference in cultures and language we are all getting along great and the conversation has been lively and fun. Obviously we all have our careers in common but we also all have a motivation to be better and to become more valuable by increasing our knowledge and experience. I have only been with these people for two days but I already have learned from them and anticipate being impacted in lasting ways by each of them.

Countries represented in our class include Jamaica, USA, Brazil, Canada, Italy, Philippines, Czech Republic and Albania. I am learning fascinating things about all of these places and wonderful things about these individuals. Our leader mentioned that he hoped we would start as colleagues but develop into friends. I know that I will develop lasting and edifying friendships with all of these individuals. It is already starting.

All in the class are male with the exception of one woman from Brazil. What a tough person she must be and how much more patient she will become after spending this time with us. She speaks Portuguese which is the closest language we have in our group to Spanish. So, by default, she is our translator. In fact, she helped me avoid a near disaster by making sure that the waiter knew I wanted my steak sliced for fajitas rather than whole. What a hero!

We all are feeling sorry for our Italian friend and all the difficulties he faces due to the labor situation in his country. There are so many things we take for granted that really make running a business and managing performance much more difficult for him. He is a great guy and is just interested in finding a way to be successful within his current situation.

There is much more to tell about many of them and I'm sure I'll get a chance to do that in the coming days. I'm really looking forward to the time I get to share with these unique people and I'm hoping that I'll be able to impact their lives for good like I know they will impact mine.