Voice of the Diaspora
Karan: Finding Home Away from Home in Mexico
An Indian from Punjab shares his three-year journey in Mexico City, from vegetarian struggles to cultural revelations
What's your name and where are you from?
My name is Karan Singh. I'm from India, specifically from Faridkot in Punjab.
How long have you been in Mexico, and what brought you here?
It's been three years since I arrived in Mexico. Work brought me here initially, and it's been quite a journey since then.
Do you like Mexico? What draws you to this country?
Yes, I absolutely love Mexico—it's beautiful in so many ways. I especially enjoy exploring the villages and neighborhoods around here, like Zócalo and other nearby areas. I love walking around, observing the streets, and getting to know the people and their behavior. There's something special about how life unfolds here.
What do you like most about Mexican culture?
What I appreciate most is their behavior and mindset. Mexicans truly know how to respect people. They have this remarkable patience for things coming their way—they don't rush, they don't stress unnecessarily. It's a quality I'd genuinely love to adopt from them.
Have you noticed similarities between Indian and Mexican cultures?
Yes, absolutely! Especially when it comes to family orientation. Mexicans are very, very close to their families, and they keep their priorities aligned with family values—particularly when it comes to parents. It's just like in India. That's probably the most common thing I've observed in both cultures. The way both societies value and respect family bonds is remarkably similar.
Did you face any challenges or cultural shocks when you first arrived?
Yes, being fully vegetarian was the biggest challenge for me. Around 99% of people in Mexico eat non-vegetarian food—pork, meat, everything. So I can't just walk into any random restaurant and order vegetarian options easily. Most of the time, I prepare food on my own at home.
Language has obviously been another challenge. I'm learning Spanish on YouTube, but I still have to learn about 60% more to be truly comfortable. It's a work in progress.
It's been three years since I arrived in Mexico. Work brought me here initially, and it's been quite a journey since then.
Do you like Mexico? What draws you to this country?
Yes, I absolutely love Mexico—it's beautiful in so many ways. I especially enjoy exploring the villages and neighborhoods around here, like Zócalo and other nearby areas. I love walking around, observing the streets, and getting to know the people and their behavior. There's something special about how life unfolds here.
What do you like most about Mexican culture?
What I appreciate most is their behavior and mindset. Mexicans truly know how to respect people. They have this remarkable patience for things coming their way—they don't rush, they don't stress unnecessarily. It's a quality I'd genuinely love to adopt from them.
Have you noticed similarities between Indian and Mexican cultures?
Yes, absolutely! Especially when it comes to family orientation. Mexicans are very, very close to their families, and they keep their priorities aligned with family values—particularly when it comes to parents. It's just like in India. That's probably the most common thing I've observed in both cultures. The way both societies value and respect family bonds is remarkably similar.
Did you face any challenges or cultural shocks when you first arrived?
Yes, being fully vegetarian was the biggest challenge for me. Around 99% of people in Mexico eat non-vegetarian food—pork, meat, everything. So I can't just walk into any random restaurant and order vegetarian options easily. Most of the time, I prepare food on my own at home.
Language has obviously been another challenge. I'm learning Spanish on YouTube, but I still have to learn about 60% more to be truly comfortable. It's a work in progress.
Despite the limited vegetarian options, do you have any favorite Mexican dishes?
Yes! I love tamales and quesadillas. I also really enjoy atole and chilaquiles. There are actually a lot of things they prepare with vegetables for vegetarian people, so I've discovered some wonderful options over time.
What do you miss most about India?
My family. If I miss India, I miss my family only. Because wherever your family is, you're complete—whether that's in Mexico, Africa, or anywhere else in the world. Family is what makes you whole.
Do you plan to stay in Mexico long-term?
No, I've already made up my mind. I'm planning to return to India within six to seven months from now.
Do you celebrate Indian festivals like Holi here in Mexico?
The Indian community in Mexico is quite small, so we don't have too many opportunities to celebrate festivals together. We celebrate very rarely as a community. But whatever festivals they do organize—especially Holi and Diwali—I love to join them. It keeps that connection to home alive.
Any final message for Indians reading this about Mexico or Latin America in general?
Yes, definitely. I've traveled to almost nine countries so far, and I've observed cultures everywhere. But Mexico is the only country where I've found people to be so respectful and so mannerly.
They're not in a hurry. They're not disrespecting others while crossing the street or while shopping in the market. They greet everybody—even while eating, they say "provecho, provecho" to everyone around them. I'd like to tell my fellow Indians that they should learn these things from Mexico.
If you're not planning to come to Mexico, at least watch videos about how Mexican people live and how happily they're living here. I'd like to mention one more important thing: Mexico is among the top 10 happiest countries in the world. I think this is the only reason why—because people here are so respectful and they genuinely like to enjoy life.
You can't judge a country by rumors or news headlines. You'll have to come and observe for yourself. Obviously, everything exists everywhere—good and bad. In my eyes, if you look, you'll see very good things in Mexico. Obviously there are some bad things also—just like in India, America, China, Korea—every country has some bad aspects. But you have to focus on the good things, because your focus attracts the good things to you.
Stay positive, keep an open mind, and you'll discover the beauty that Mexico has to offer.
Yes! I love tamales and quesadillas. I also really enjoy atole and chilaquiles. There are actually a lot of things they prepare with vegetables for vegetarian people, so I've discovered some wonderful options over time.
What do you miss most about India?
My family. If I miss India, I miss my family only. Because wherever your family is, you're complete—whether that's in Mexico, Africa, or anywhere else in the world. Family is what makes you whole.
Do you plan to stay in Mexico long-term?
No, I've already made up my mind. I'm planning to return to India within six to seven months from now.
Do you celebrate Indian festivals like Holi here in Mexico?
The Indian community in Mexico is quite small, so we don't have too many opportunities to celebrate festivals together. We celebrate very rarely as a community. But whatever festivals they do organize—especially Holi and Diwali—I love to join them. It keeps that connection to home alive.
Any final message for Indians reading this about Mexico or Latin America in general?
Yes, definitely. I've traveled to almost nine countries so far, and I've observed cultures everywhere. But Mexico is the only country where I've found people to be so respectful and so mannerly.
They're not in a hurry. They're not disrespecting others while crossing the street or while shopping in the market. They greet everybody—even while eating, they say "provecho, provecho" to everyone around them. I'd like to tell my fellow Indians that they should learn these things from Mexico.
If you're not planning to come to Mexico, at least watch videos about how Mexican people live and how happily they're living here. I'd like to mention one more important thing: Mexico is among the top 10 happiest countries in the world. I think this is the only reason why—because people here are so respectful and they genuinely like to enjoy life.
You can't judge a country by rumors or news headlines. You'll have to come and observe for yourself. Obviously, everything exists everywhere—good and bad. In my eyes, if you look, you'll see very good things in Mexico. Obviously there are some bad things also—just like in India, America, China, Korea—every country has some bad aspects. But you have to focus on the good things, because your focus attracts the good things to you.
Stay positive, keep an open mind, and you'll discover the beauty that Mexico has to offer.
Interview conducted at a Holi celebration in Mexico City, March 2026