Aggies Invent in Mexico

Isabela Lozano and Fred Henry spent their spring break adventuring and engineering in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, with their Global Entrepreneurship class. They explored Mexican farms, Mesoamerican pyramids and industrial parks, among other places. During a mini-Aggies Invent, an entrepreneurship competition that lasted 14 hours, they worked in teams with Mexican students from multiple universities to solve grand engineering challenges, such as helping subsistence farmers and extending access to medical care. The group stayed at the Hacienda Santa Clara Education and Research Center.

“I enjoy entrepreneurship because it boosts myself, other people and products,” said Lozano. “It’s amazing to be able to combine my technical engineering background with entrepreneurship, and to be able to learn from professors of practice who have actually been in the industry.”

Lozano is pursuing a degree in electrical engineering with a certificate in concept creation and commercialization. After her uncle was electrocuted while working at a substation she knew she had to dive in and help change the field to make it safer for everyone. Henry is majoring in industrial distribution and is interested in the intersection of engineering and business. 

Lozano: I knew I wanted to study abroad. I followed all the engineering pages on Instagram and this trip really stood out to me because of its global entrepreneurship focus. I realized just because I had been to Mexico before didn’t mean I had experienced all of Mexico. It’s a diverse country with different states.

Henry: I visited the study abroad office as an I.T. student worker to help them print something out. We started talking about studying abroad and when I found out there was a trip I could take, even as a graduating senior, I decided to do it. I thought visiting Mexico would be perfect because I could explore my half-Hispanic heritage and it would be useful to know more about Mexico, given our numerous business collaborations.

Lozano: The best part of the trip for me was seeing how diverse the people within Mexico are. It was fascinating to see all the diverse perspectives come together to find a solution and make a prototype during Aggies Invent.

Lozano: For me the trip emphasized the importance of engineering to build up infrastructure and lift up communities.

Henry: I gained a newfound appreciation of Mexico. I realized how important it is to understand Mexico because of our proximity and our shared history. As the tech business is moving faster and faster, it seems like one on one human relationships are becoming less important. I really appreciated the relational aspect of business in Mexico.

Lozano: Absolutely! The week I got back from our trip to Mexico I applied to study abroad at Texas A&M University at Qatar. I’ll be leaving in May, taking three engineering classes, and coming back in July. My new goal is to study abroad every semester.  I think being able to recognize, respect and celebrate different points of view will be an asset in my future job.