'Diversity' is the buzzword for Monserrat Garcia Curiel. Be it the Mexican food, her Dutch partner or academics (dabbled in botany, chemistry, business management), Monse, as she is fondly known by her acquaintances, has stood in good stead with this concept.
Currently working toward her PhD in the field of nanotechnology with the Inorganic Materials Science group in the faculty of Chemical Technology, Monse remembers her accidental meeting with the UT back in 1997 at an International Congress. What followed was a year of research fellowship and eventually, doctoral studies. Privileged as the youngest and the most looked-after child of the four siblings in her family, it was quite a transition from a pampered life to a life of do-it-yourself.
Overwhelmed with the myriad life in the Netherlands, she elucidates, 'Bredevoort--the booktown, Giethoorn--the Venice of Holland, the province of Drenthe for its prehistoric stones are some of the places that fascinate me.' Regularly updating herself with the socio-cultural and political scenario back home from the embassy, Monse yearns for the native warmth and affection; in particular the Mexican corn speciality of hand-made tortillas.
Having a wonderful Dutch partner has been advantageous to her in helping her blend with the culture; they learn from each other. Nevertheless, she does not want to exclude her Dutch family and friends from sharing the credit of imparting her an insight into their heritage. She admits, 'learning the language prevents you from becoming an outsider'. She supports her statement by citing her favourite Dutch movies: Karakter and Soldaat van Oranje. Monse is also partial to paintings and prehistoric findings. While she admires the paintings of Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Van Dijk and Frida Kahlo(Mexican), she is astonished with the sculpture of an elephant at Almere.
Engrossed with the variety in her life, Monse opines that it is difficult to get bored in the Netherlands. When asked to list her likings about the Dutch, she mentions gardens, the active life, the contagious attitude toward sunlight, the road network, cheese, lush ambience, punctuality of buses and trains, zeal for sport events like survival and the Batavierenrace, Bossche bol (made of cream and chocolate), and last but not least, her Dutch friends for all their warmth.
When asked about the reasons for an outsider to visit Mexico, Monse oozes with pride, 'Mexico belongs to the most biologically diverse countries in the world, the large number of volcanoes (Popocatepetl being the highest in the Northern Hemisphere), the remains of the Maya and Aztec civilizations, the monarch butterflies, beaches and Tequila - the national drink from Agave plant.'
Clarifying the misnomer of Mexico being a part of South America,she explains, 'Geographically, Mexico belongs to the North though its culture and history are rooted in the Middle and South.' Aspiring to a career in a transnational venture, she says, 'I believe in entrepreneurial science for industry and society in this era of globalisation.' Just back from a trip to Bordeaux, France, Monse is recharged to wallow in the diversity that has become an integral part of her life. Truly, a multi-faceted person, Mexicana Monse!
Hometown: Mexico city, Mexico
Languages: English, Spanish, reasonable Dutch
Favorite Food: Mexican Mole (chicken with spicy chocolate sauce)
Favorite music genre: Pop
Favorite tennis player: Martina Hingis
Favorite place in NL: The Hague
Best part about living in the NL: Sculptures in public places
Worst part about living in the NL: Appointment to use medical facilities
Hobbies: Travelling, cooking, scuba diving
Dream destination: India
