Mexico City, March 25, 2025. Adapting to a new culture, facing language barriers and building a life away from home can be a daunting challenge. To provide support to Mexican women living abroad, Alma Cascos, Julieta Campos y Mariana Zacateall alumni of the Universidad Panamericana, founded Mexicanas en el Mundoa global community that offers guidance, accompaniment and tools to facilitate the integration of women in different countries.
From the university to the world
Alma, Julieta and Mariana met during their university studies in the career of Innovation and Design Engineering at the School of Engineering at the Universidad Panamericana, where they forged a friendship that transcended borders.
After graduating in 2019, each took different professional paths, but with a common denominator: the experience of living outside of Mexico. Alma moved first to California and then to Berlin; Mariana settled in Istanbul, Turkey; and Julieta did the same in São Paulo, Brazil. It was from these personal experiences that the idea of to create a community that would help other Mexican women who, like them, live in another country.
"We realized that, although we were in different countries, we shared similar feelings: loneliness, homesickness, culture shock, and confusion with the paperwork. (...) We wanted to create a space where we could accompany and support each other"explains Mariana.
Mexican women in the worldA virtual hug for migrant women
Through a digital platform, a WhatsApp group, and virtual events, the founders of Mexicanas en el Mundo seek to empower its members, offering them tools and resources to facilitate their adaptation to new environments..
"It's not about creating Mexican communities outside of Mexico, it's about being that Mexican hug that sometimes you need to keep going," says Alma.says Alma. The community offers everything from practical guides on legal procedures and moving tips, to workshops on mental health, entrepreneurship and personal finance.
One of the highlights of the community is its focus on human connection. "We want women to feel accompanied at every stage of their experience abroad .. Whether they are just arriving and feeling lost, or are already settled in and want to share their experience , there is a space here for everyone"Julieta adds.
Challenges and lessons learned: growing together in the distance
Creating and maintaining a global community has been no easy task. One of the biggest challenges has been identifying the specific needs of the women needs of the women who are part of Mexican Women in the World.
"Each country has its own particularities, and each woman's experience is unique. each woman's experience is unique.. For this reason, we have created resources that we know would have been useful to us at the beginning of our experience.We have created resources that we know would have been useful to us at the beginning of our experience, such as quick guides to paperwork, tips for adjusting to the local culture, and recommendations for maintaining emotional balance.such as quick guides on paperwork, tips for adapting to the local culture and recommendations for maintaining emotional balance," says Julieta.says Julieta.
In addition, the alumni have learned that the key to community success lies in honesty and openness. "Sometimes we are tempted to pretend that everything is fine, but it is important to talk about both the good and the bad. Sharing our experiences has allowed us to grow together and to realize that we are not alone"reflects Mariana.
The impact of training in the UP
The founders agree that their education at the Universidad Panamericana was a determining factor in the development of the project. " Universidad Panamericana brought us together as friends and gave us the necessary tools to materialize our ideas," says Alma.says Alma.
"We learned methodologies such as 'Design Thinking' and 'Project Management', which have helped us to focus on the needs of our clients and to organize ourselves as a team", she adds.she adds.
In addition, the three entrepreneurs emphasize that the values and professional ethics they acquired during their time at Panamericana have been key to maintaining a human and empathetic approach in their project. "Our training taught us to think strategically and to always seek continuous improvement," says Julieta.says Julieta.
And for those Mexicans who are considering a move abroad, the founders of Mexicanas en el Mundo have a clear message: "It's hard, but it's worth it. Allow yourself to feel everything: the excitement, the nostalgia, the frustration and the joy; and know that there is a community for you," says Mariana.declares Mariana.
The future of Mexican Women in the World
With more than 15 countries represented and a community in constant growth, Mexicanas en el Mundo has become a beacon of hope and support for Mexican women who, like Alma, Julieta and Mariana, have decided to make their way in distant lands.
If you or someone you know is interested in being part of this community, you can visit the following website nas.io/mexicanas or follow us on:
Tiktok @mxenelmundo
Youtube @mxenelmundo
Listen to her story in this episode of Voices that Inspire:
