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MCC Campus Connections
Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania
Mena
Podcast Transcript
Geovanny Mayorga 0:06
Welcome, everyone. Welcome to another episode of Midwestern Career College
Campus Connections. We are recording from our downtown location at LaSalle.
As always, you can find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple
Podcasts. We look forward to hearing from you. You can follow us and contact us
at podcast@mccollege.edu. So we're going to get started once again. I have with
me Shaudy Martinez, who's going to be the co-host once again. How are you,
Shaudy?
Shaudy Martinez 0:40
Oh, good as usual.
Geovanny Mayorga 0:42
So last time we spoke on an episode, we spoke about ESL - English as a Second
Language - and today we have our guest who is a former student of the ESL,
English as a Second Language program. Estefania Mena, welcome. How are you?
Estefania Mena 1:06
Hi. Thank you guys for having me. It's such an honor to be here. I'm doing good.
How are you?
Geovanny Mayorga 1:14
Wonderful. It's a great honor to have you as you're the first former student that
we've had in the past. Obviously, Shaudy, who's a former student, Jessica, who's
a former student as well, but you're the first student that is not working for
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 1
Midwestern Career College and has not continued her career with Midwestern -
not yet, at least.
Shaudy Martinez 1:42
We have opening positions, by the way. I know we're hiring.
Geovanny Mayorga 1:47
We're hiring.
Estefania Mena 1:49
Thanks for the information.
Shaudy Martinez 1:52
So happy to have you here.
Geovanny Mayorga 1:53
Yes. One of the interesting things, as I've mentioned in the past in previous
podcasts, and somehow it always comes up, is that I am from - well, I was born in
Chicago, but I was raised in Guatemala City in Guatemala. And Estefania just
happens to be from—
Estefania Mena 2:12
Guatemala. Yeah, I was born in Quetzaltenango. It's called the second city of
Guatemala, but I was raised in Guatemala City too.
Geovanny Mayorga 2:24
Oh, were you? Yes, I was. Oh, nice.
Estefania Mena 2:28
So we are chapines. That's how we are known.
Geovanny Mayorga 2:33
What do you mean?
Geovanny Mayorga 2:33
Right. Guatemalans are known as chapines. I don't know what that means.
Shaudy Martinez 2:38
I'm gonna learn a lot.
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 2
Geovanny Mayorga 2:46
Okay, yeah, there is a gender to it. Excellent.
Shaudy Martinez 2:50
I love these, like diversity. You learn about a lot of countries. Yes, yeah.
Geovanny Mayorga 2:56
We're gonna learn a little bit more about Guatemala today, since it's like
Guatemalan episode. Oh yes. And Guatemala is known as the land of eternal
spring.
Estefania Mena 3:06
And the best coffee in the world.
Shaudy Martinez 3:09
Oh, debatable.
Shaudy Martinez 3:12
I'm from Venezuela. I know people from Colombia. Debatable, Stephanie.
Geovanny Mayorga 3:18
Probably the best two producers of coffee - Colombia and Guatemala. Yeah. And
lots of family friends there in the business, coffee business. So in Starbucks I see,
yeah, Costco. Costco has Guatemalan coffee.
Estefania Mena 3:38
Coffee, I have no idea. Yeah.
Shaudy Martinez 3:41
I do. The reserve that is here on Michigan Avenue, in Magnificent Mile. Oh, maybe
in the special ones, I don't know.
Geovanny Mayorga 3:52
So obviously, you're from Guatemala, and while you were born in a different state
- they're not called states in Guatemala - how was it different growing up in
basically what would be the country here - what's called country here - versus the
city, which is Guatemala City?
Estefania Mena 4:15
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 3
So I had this life where I spend a lot of time going to Quetzaltenango, and then
growing up in the city, because my family from my mom's side, they still live there.
So it was a common thing to go on holidays and spend time with the family. So for
me, it was - oh, sorry. So for me, it was a common thing to have the best of both
worlds, you know, like the city and the countryside. I was born and raised - well,
raised in Guatemala City, but I had both. How can I say this - like the best of both
worlds? The best of both worlds?
Geovanny Mayorga 4:57
Yes. So you grew up in Quetzaltenango.
Estefania Mena 5:01
I was born there, but I moved to Guatemala City when I was like 11 months maybe.
Geovanny Mayorga 5:07
Okay, so most of your time was spent in Guatemala City, or did you go back to -
you said, Xela. Who was the other place? So people can really, especially the
Guatemalan people - are they going to be like, where exactly?
Estefania Mena 5:20
Yeah, Quetzaltenango - it's best known as Xela.
Geovanny Mayorga 5:25
Yeah. So did you actually live there?
Estefania Mena 5:30
For 11 months of my life. Oh, so just as a baby, basically. Yeah, just as a baby,
basically. And then I have a lot of childhood memories there, because I, as I
mentioned, I spent a lot of my childhood with my family from my mom's side.
Shaudy Martinez 5:42
You went back for vacations, yeah.
Estefania Mena 5:45
All of my vacations were there. Like Christmas time, eating tamales, you know, the
food of my abuela. Everything. Yeah, everything was - like, a lot of my beautiful
memories are in Quetzaltenango.
Geovanny Mayorga 5:57
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 4
Yes. We've spoken a lot about education and the differences in the systems, what
it is in Latin American countries, and I'm sure, obviously, Asian education is very
different, European education is very different. How were you able - because you
were able to, and we'll get to your trajectory - but you studied also in Mexico,
yeah. How would it compare between Guatemala and Mexico?
Estefania Mena 6:26
So to be honest, I don't know if I can be someone that can compare, because I did
like all of my pre-education, like high school, middle school, etc., in Guatemala.
But then when I moved to Mexico City, I went to drama school, so I don't know—
Geovanny Mayorga 6:46
Okay, so it's a little bit different. Yeah, yeah.
Estefania Mena 6:49
I think that schools for arts are way different than schools for another career. So I
don't know if I have like this point where I can compare them, because it was a
different journey. I took a different journey.
Geovanny Mayorga 7:05
Okay. And did you go to university or college in Guatemala?
Estefania Mena 7:11
I did like six months of journalism, okay. But then, yeah, I was like, "No, I want to
follow my dream, my career.
"
Geovanny Mayorga 7:22
And which was - your dream was to do what?
Estefania Mena 7:26
At that point, I didn't know if I wanted to be an actress or a singer, so I took like a
self-exploration chapter of my life where I kind of experienced both. And then I
decided that I want to do - like I did my major in dramatic arts, which is acting. But
then I have been singing my whole life, and I am still a singer now, so I never
stopped singing. I love singing. I - sorry, microphone. I still take my music theory
classes. I still take vocal coaching lessons. I am still preparing myself because I
want to be and I am a singer and an actress. But—
Shaudy Martinez 8:14
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 5
Did you move to Mexico because of the industry there? To study there, to develop
your career there?
Estefania Mena 8:23
Yes, that was my intention, because the career of Dramatic Arts, per se, like as a
performer, it doesn't exist in Guatemala. So in order to follow my career path, I
needed to move. So when I was doing my research, actually, I had like two
options: going to the Universidad Católica de Costa Rica, which they have this
program of Dramatic Arts, or the other option was Mexico. Well, Mexico, and then,
I don't know, the Divinity, God, they just guided - light and life. The doors opened
for me in Mexico. So I just went there.
Geovanny Mayorga 9:00
Yes. So you didn't have family or friends in Mexico?
Estefania Mena 9:04
No, no, no.
Shaudy Martinez 9:06
A risky girl.
Estefania Mena 9:09
I moved when I was 19 with a couple friends.
Shaudy Martinez 9:12
Brave. Yes.
Estefania Mena 9:13
We were all pursuing our careers. So you moved with friends from Guatemala?
Yeah, we were like a group of four or five friends. Maybe we were all from the
same school.
Shaudy Martinez 9:26
Nice to have that one.
Estefania Mena 9:31
I love you guys, if you're seeing this. And we were all into the arts. I think they
were like dancing, two singers and then two actors, something like that. I just don't
remember exactly.
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 6
Geovanny Mayorga 9:46
But yeah, so all - was it four of you? You said. All four of you, or four or five,
however many - did you all decide to go and pursue a particular program or a
particular—
Estefania Mena 9:59
So we were all students of the same art institute. We were all students there, and
then as part of the institute, we kind of moved as a group, but everyone was
pursuing their own career. Which moved together to Mexico - to Mexico City,
right. But what program did you go to in Mexico City?
Geovanny Mayorga 10:19
Oh, I did a two-year program of musical theater, and then I did a four-year
program.
Geovanny Mayorga 10:24
The whole group did the same thing? Went to the same school?
Estefania Mena 10:28
No. Yes, but then we separated ways. So yeah, I did a two-year program of
musical theater and then a four-year program of Dramatic Arts. Yes, nice.
Shaudy Martinez 10:40
I don't know. I'm speechless. I'm still processing, like, 19 years old. Okay, it's okay,
yeah. But that speaks a lot about yourself. Like you are brave, you move. You're
that type of woman, like, "I want to pursue my dreams."
Estefania Mena 11:00
And now you're here in Chicago. Yes, yeah.
Shaudy Martinez 11:05
So probably Geovanny is gonna guide you, like, "Okay, once you were there, what
brings you here?"
Geovanny Mayorga 11:12
Well, first of all, how was life in Mexico?
Estefania Mena 11:17
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 7
Amazing. It was amazing because I think for - well, this is personal, but I always
felt like I was, like, the black sheep somehow. You know, Guatemala, we are a little
bit more conservative. We are like, life is ABC. And I didn't want that for me. So I
was like, "I don't feel like I want this. I don't want to go to the university and
pursue a career like everyone else is doing. I want to do arts." So when I moved to
Mexico and I realized that there are people that are like me, that are into the arts,
that they're more artists, that there's the industry, that there's - like, I was like,
"Whoa, this is amazing." Yeah, I mean, of course, like when you move, we all
immigrants know that we have amazing times, and we have times where we feel
like the world is just ending literally. But it was amazing overall. I think it was a
really amazing experience, discovering myself, discovering myself through art,
discovering what kind of artist I wanted to be. It was a really beautiful chapter of
my life.
Shaudy Martinez 12:26
Yes. And an advantage - there was the same language.
Estefania Mena 12:30
The same language, you know. Especially we are all Spanish speakers, and I bet -
sometimes, sometimes difficult. Like, for example, the popcorn. How do you say in
Venezuela?
Shaudy Martinez 12:40
How do you say? Cotufas.
Estefania Mena 12:42
I say poporopo, and in Mexico they say palomitas.
Shaudy Martinez 12:46
Yeah, very different. Colombia, crispetas.
Estefania Mena 12:49
So, yeah. So it was the same language, but I struggled. I did struggle.
Geovanny Mayorga 12:57
You spoke about Costa Rica. Now, Costa Rica probably in, obviously, in Central
America, is probably the second most popular country because of tourism. How
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 8
did you make the decision - "I'm going, we're going to Mexico instead of Costa
Rica"?
Estefania Mena 13:18
Um, I think just because the doors opened in Mexico. Because while the doors
were open in Mexico, I was still doing research on how to get into an audition to
the University of Costa Rica. While in Mexico, they were like, "Oh yes." So I was
like, "Oh, okay." So then I was like, "I guess I'm just moving to Mexico." A little bit
easier. And it was a matter of months, to be honest. I remember I was eating
hamburgers with my mom, and I was like, "Mom, I'm gonna leave next month."
And my mom was like, "No." I was like, "Mama, don't cry. Don't cry." Sorry, Mom,
if you're watching this. I'm sorry.
Shaudy Martinez 14:01
But I was about to ask you about that process, because you are eager to start your
new life, following your dreams, but then you're - well, being a Latin American
people, we are very attached to our families, and as an immigrant, that is one of
the hardest parts. Yeah. Of the process. Like, okay, it's not just like I feel alone. It's
like I need my mom and I need my mom's food and my grandma's food. So, since
you are a brave woman, how did your parents or your family take this from you?
Estefania Mena 14:40
I don't know. I think when they realized that I was truly living my dream life, they
kind of let me go. Yeah. When they - I remember when they first came to Mexico
and watched me in a play, and they were like, "Okay, you are where you need to
be." Because I remember once I was back home visiting my parents and
everything, I was doing my bag, and I was like, "Mom, I just don't want to go back.
I miss you so much." And my mom was like, "You have nothing to do here." She
grabbed my bag and she said, "Let's go. Let's go. You need to continue." I was
like, "Mom, I can't believe you're the one who's telling me this." But my mom was
so brave, because she just let me go.
Shaudy Martinez 15:27
You feel guilty sometimes. Yes, yeah.
Estefania Mena 15:31
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 9
Wait, we're not supposed to cry here. This is part of - yeah. But I always say that
in all of the decisions that you take in your life, you pay a price. So if I have, for
example, decided to stay home, I would pay a price of living the life that I don't
want. Correct. But I decided to move. So I pay the price of feeling - of all of these
feelings that I feel as an immigrant. You know, sometimes I feel guilty, sometimes I
feel sad. You know, all of these emotions, uncomfortable emotions that we
sometimes feel. I pay the price because I am living the life that I want to live.
Shaudy Martinez 16:12
Because sometimes just people see your pictures and see that you are very
successful or next to something that is amazing, landmarks, and it's like—
Estefania Mena 16:23
Wow. I get a lot of messages like, "Oh, you're so happy. I love seeing you so
happy." Thank you. But I literally cry because I miss my grandma. Yeah. So it's this
thing that I want for another, and I pay the price. But, yeah, yeah, it's hard. But I
think I don't see myself living another life. I think I have made the right decisions.
Geovanny Mayorga 16:50
Or going back.
Estefania Mena 16:51
No, no, no, just visiting. Oh, the mama. I want tamales. Yes, of course.
Geovanny Mayorga 17:03
Yes. So once you found yourself in Mexico, as you started to get more into acting
and singing, what projects did you begin to work with or at in Mexico?
Estefania Mena 17:18
I did dubbing for Netflix docu-series, The Confession Killer, the Latin American
version. You can hear my voice there. Which one is this again? The Confession
Killer. It's on Netflix. Okay. It's a documentary—
Geovanny Mayorga 17:35
About a serial killer. Which one of all—
Shaudy Martinez 17:40
We have many, and I watched them all. No, no, what's the name?
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 10
Geovanny Mayorga 17:46
Okay, we're gonna have to look. You're gonna have to look. I'll look it up.
Estefania Mena 17:50
The Confession Killer. I was part of a band that we sang Latin American music,
especially from Mexico. The name of the band was Ensamble Katherina. We were
all women playing instruments and singing. I worked in Teatro Legaria, Teatro
Tepeyac. I did a lot of musical theater. I did Mamma Mia, Las Miserables.
Shaudy Martinez 18:20
But you got these gigs - I don't know how to call that - because of the program?
They hire you through the university?
Estefania Mena 18:29
Or you - some of them were because of the program. But like, for example, the
Netflix or the Teatro Legaria was more like in the professional field. Okay, yeah. I
was starting to get into the industry. Like, "Hey, what else?" Well, I did a lot of
things that I don't have in mind right now. My mom - I don't - I hope my mom is not
watching this, because she's always like, "You have to remember all the things
that you have done," blah, blah, blah. But really, my brain is focusing on creating
things, on exploring life. You know, daydreaming. I do daydream a lot. So
sometimes my brain just thinks that, "Oh, this information, we don't want it right
now." So space for new. But if you want to check my resume, you can go to my
website, okay? Estefaniamena.com and you can check all of the projects that I
have been in, because I don't have them right now in my brain. I'm sorry, guys.
Shaudy Martinez 19:29
Take your time for advertising too. Yes.
Geovanny Mayorga 19:31
Thank you. Yes. I mean, you worked in various projects. Now you mentioned how
you are also a singer. Yes. Weren't you - didn't you, or weren't you part of a band
in Mexico?
Estefania Mena 19:44
Ensamble Katherina, yes.
Geovanny Mayorga 19:46
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 11
Okay, yeah. And how was that?
Estefania Mena 19:48
With a lot of festivals, and I think my favorite one was when we sang at the Museo
del Carmen in Coyoacán, and I was wearing a black dress full of flowers. I love
flowers. And I was singing La Llorona, La Bruja, everything, you know, like folkloric
- yeah, folkloric Mexican music, mostly. And, oh my God, it was really - I mean, I'm
not Mexican, but I really love singing Mexican folklore.
Shaudy Martinez 20:18
And those songs are really very beautiful, yeah. Yes, yeah. You have to really be in
your soul, I don't know, just to be able to sing.
Estefania Mena 20:25
And as a Latina, you know, you have this flavor. So I was just like - I think that was
my favorite memory, the favorite one that I have with this band, singing at the
Museo.
Geovanny Mayorga 20:40
Yeah. And is that the main type of music you like to sing? Is it more—
Estefania Mena 20:47
Mariachi style, Latino folkloric? Yes, I love singing cumbias, salsas, mariachis,
boleros. That's my main - I am a Latina singer. But since I also did this musical
theater program, I can sing like - okay, it's not the thing that I do best. Like, I -
yeah, I'm not a pop person. With my singing, my voice is more like - so when I sing
pop it's like, it doesn't sound that good, but I can do it. It's just it's not my favorite
one.
Geovanny Mayorga 21:24
Are you interested in doing like musicals, or is it more just based on opera or art or
theater?
Estefania Mena 21:34
Well, I did my musical theater program, and once I graduated, I was like, "This is
excellent. I don't want to work in this." I love musical theater. I respect musical
theater actresses, actors. Sorry, they are amazing. But I think, personally for me,
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 12
I'd rather just do like theater, theater, or just like music, music. Yeah, I like to
separate them both. But I really enjoy going to the theater.
Shaudy Martinez 21:59
And in theater you specialize, like in drama or comedy or—
Estefania Mena 22:04
Oh, all of both.
Estefania Mena 22:12
Actually, I had a lot of training in drama and comedy and different acting styles. I
think I did more of - I have a specialization in a technique of acting more than like
genre. Yeah, yeah.
Shaudy Martinez 22:35
It's okay. You can blend all of them.
Estefania Mena 22:41
I don't - I don't think that I am a good comedian, though. I think I am better at
drama. Comedy is harder. It's more difficult because you have to have this tempo
and this, you know, like creativeness, that for me, it's just hard. And in English is
harder because I'm like, "Wait, wait, wait, my brain—"
Shaudy Martinez 23:02
Did you have the chance to be on TV in Mexico? Because they have a large
industry on TV.
Estefania Mena 23:09
No, no, no, no, not in - no, it was singing and theater. Yes. Okay, yes, yes, yes,
great.
Geovanny Mayorga 23:18
I mean, that's a lot of work that you've already done in theater, and kind of starting
to figure out your way, yeah. How did you - once you already knew what you were
doing, this is the next step - how did you find yourself in Chicago?
Estefania Mena 23:37
Well, I don't know if you guys know, but four years ago, there was a pandemic.
Really? And that's a long story, but shortly, just life said, "Estefania, you do no
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 13
longer belong to Mexico. Boom. There you go, Chicago." So once I was already
here, March 2020—
Shaudy Martinez 24:07
Though, you came just for a visit?
Estefania Mena 24:10
Sure, visit. I came just for a short visit. My plan was Tuesday - yeah, my plan was
just to do short visit. I was visiting my sister. She lives here, and then life
happened, you know, pandemic, the entire world closed frontiers. And at that time,
I was able to understand English. I was capable of understanding 60 to 70% of
what people were telling me, but I couldn't speak English at all. Like my English
was really bad, like speaking. I was like, "Hi, yes, coffee, sugar," you know,
because I love coffee. So that's the thing. So I decided to change my status in
order to become a student, because I thought that as an artist and as an actress, it
was important for me to have English as a second language, and not only to know
English, but to be able to express myself in another language.
Shaudy Martinez 25:09
So this is another layer - speaking English, expressing yourself, yeah, in a different
language is another level.
Estefania Mena 25:16
Yes, yes, yes. So I did my research, and that's when I found you guys. I said, "I
need this for me, because I am already here. This is something that I want and I
need for my career. So why not? If I'm already here, just why not?" So I did all of
the process, you know, that we as immigrants, we need to do here. And I got
accepted in the program. And then I completed the program. I did complete - I -
when I ended - from like three months ago. I finished the last term, yeah. Like, two
last term, yeah, last term. Like, months ago. I finished the program. Months ago,
yeah.
Geovanny Mayorga 26:00
Is there anything - like, once the ESL students finish the program, is there like a
certificate, or is there a ceremony?
Shaudy Martinez 26:09
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 14
No ceremony, but they can get certificates in every level. I mean, because you can
enroll in one term, and then you get your certificate. But when you finish your
program, yeah, you get the certificate for the amount of levels that you finish. And
then you can also do the post-advanced program.
Estefania Mena 26:30
What is that?
Shaudy Martinez 26:31
Oh, I did the post-advanced.
Shaudy Martinez 26:33
You finished like advanced, and then, yes, advanced. They are more like subjects
that you can choose that are more related with your skills. I don't know if you want
to develop something like—
Estefania Mena 26:48
English.
Shaudy Martinez 26:48
English for communication, marketing, business, understanding the US culture.
That was really important, because as an immigrant, we don't - well—
Shaudy Martinez 27:00
The one in the medical field, I forgot the name of that one. Oh yes. They told you
words, skills. I don't know how to explain this, but everything related to the
medical field.
Estefania Mena 27:15
Oh, interesting.
Shaudy Martinez 27:19
And after that, we can also switch to associates, but in marketing, business,
accounting. These are the options for the international students. But yeah, just for
the ESL, it's like once you reach advanced, you consider that you finished the
program, but then you can do the post-advanced too. She did everything.
Estefania Mena 27:45
I did everything.
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 15
Geovanny Mayorga 27:46
You also have a sister here, right? Yeah. How long has your sister been here?
Estefania Mena 27:52
Oh, like, probably nine years.
Geovanny Mayorga 27:54
Maybe she moved here before you did. Oh, yes.
Estefania Mena 27:57
Yes, yes, yes, she moved here before I did.
Shaudy Martinez 27:59
Sorry, I remember - English for Healthcare. Sorry, yes.
Estefania Mena 28:08
English for Healthcare, yeah.
Shaudy Martinez 28:10
Your sister, nine years.
Estefania Mena 28:14
I think she has been here for nine years. Yes. And she moved here by herself?
Geovanny Mayorga 28:20
No, with her husband. They came directly here to Chicago. Or did they live
anywhere else?
Estefania Mena 28:23
They came to Chicago. Yeah. So that's why I was visiting here in Chicago. Life, life
happened.
Geovanny Mayorga 28:33
So you've been able to travel to Mexico and then now to the United States. How
would you describe that journey to someone who was thinking about making that
same journey?
Estefania Mena 28:50
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 16
Breathe. Think about it. Think about if you want to pay the price. It is worth it, but
it is rough. I mean, it is beautiful. I think the US is where I have cried the most,
because it's a cultural shock. It is a shock. It's not only cultural, but also the
language. It is so big. Life is faster here. So when you move, you first get here.
And then once your brain starts to - "Hey, this is different. This is different. This is
different." It gets to a moment where you're like, "Oh, wait." So my advice is that if
your heart wants to do it, do it. Don't let your fears be more powerful than your
desires, because we - there are a lot of people that will support your journey here.
Like you guys, like there's a school there. There are many people that will support
you. The friends you make, the friends you make here in the classroom, in the
school. My best friends from Thailand. I love you guys. If you're watching this. I've
made friends from all over the world. It was amazing.
Shaudy Martinez 30:14
Although you feel alone, you're not alone at the same time. So it is hard, but once
you are in a school around international students, yeah, they are - it is - they are
all in the same process. Yeah. You are not alone in the journey.
Estefania Mena 30:30
And the food, guys. The food that you can eat here in Chicago. Oh, my God, yes. If
you want food from all over the world, come to Chicago. It's the best. It's true. You
can find food from everywhere here. And I love food. I love eating. So yeah, I think
you have to be prepared, and you have to be aware that it's gonna be rough,
because it is. I'm not gonna lie. But also it is going to be beautiful, and if you are
open to make these friends, to communicate with people, you know, to show your
true self and your culture to others so they can do the same to you, you're gonna
have an amazing time here. And you're really gonna enjoy your time here, and not
in Chicago, in the States, and whatever you want to do. So if you're thinking about
moving, this is your sign - do it.
Geovanny Mayorga 31:21
Yes, yeah. I mean, depending on - excuse me - depending on the stage of your
life that you're currently at when you're trying to make that decision, it's always
different. Once you make that decision and you find yourself here, either by
yourself or obviously not knowing language or culture. I think society as a whole
hasn't been very welcoming for a very long time, and I think it's only getting
worse, unfortunately, getting worse. But without a doubt, once you get past all
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 17
that, there's a lot of opportunity, and you can make something better of yourself,
or opportunities that you perhaps didn't have in the country that you're coming
from, or just—
Estefania Mena 32:06
Like being able to see life with different lenses, right? Oh, that's - oh, that's really
—
Geovanny Mayorga 32:13
A gift, because you're coming from a specific culture into a melting pot of culture.
Estefania Mena 32:19
Yes.
Shaudy Martinez 32:20
As I always say to our students, like, don't focus on our differences, because there
are - focus on our similarities that you never thought. We have a lot too, and we
have a lot. I never thought that it was so similar to someone in Latvia, yeah. What?
Did you eat that? I eat that every day too. Like, what? But you are in Asia, in
Europe. It's like, okay, focus on your similarities, and also, don't - I mean, look at
your friends, your classmates, as you're starting an international and global
networking. Yes. You never know who that people is going to - what that people is
going to bring you. Yeah, probably, I don't know, next year it's going to be your
partner. You're going to build your own business. You are going to, I don't know,
get married. I don't know. You never know. I mean, your classmates are your base
here, yeah, but they are your support. But yes, just focusing on the similarities.
And though there is a time - there is a cycle of the cultural shock. Like, yes. First
everything is like amazing, everything is the best. And then you start like, "Oh no,
oh, real life hit me." And then you're totally depressed. Like, "No, I want to go
back." And then you adapt yourself and say, "You know what? I'm gonna take this
from here. This from my hometown. This is my personality. I'm not gonna change
totally to adapt myself," and you start living normally. Of course, it's part of the
process. So, yeah, it's an amazing experience. Just - to immigrate and to come to
learn a new language, it's just gonna open your doors.
Estefania Mena 34:04
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 18
Yeah, oh, yes. And though we might come from different cultures and speak
different languages, we are all humans. We have this human thing. Like we
connect. We know how to connect. It's beautiful, yes.
Geovanny Mayorga 34:17
Wonderful. Now, obviously you've made a life. You decided to stay in Chicago,
come to Midwestern Career College, and you started looking at, obviously, career
opportunities, although at this point, most of it is volunteer work that you have to
kind of open up and volunteer so you can start getting your name out there,
yourself out there. What projects have you been working on here in Chicago?
Estefania Mena 34:41
I have been a volunteer of Chicago Latino Film Festival, International Latino Film
Festival, Midwest Film Festival. I have volunteered with Piper Arts. I have been
with International Latino Cultural Center. I have been with Water People Theater. I
have been - I know them. Oh yeah, they are Venezuelans. I love you guys. And I
have been trying to know people from CLATA, which is the Chicago Latino Theater
Alliance. I have been involved in Green Shirt, which is the studio where I specialize
in Meisner technique. And, you know, go to open mics. Go to film networking
events. Participate in student films. Artists, you have to be seen, yeah, be at
networking events. That's the clue - networking events. Just once, someone from
the industry here in Chicago told me, "Estefania, yeah, it's not - yeah. It doesn't
matter who you know. It matters who knows about you." And that changed my life.
It's like, oh, a director thinks, "Oh, I need a Latina that can sing. Who might be?"
And then he says, like, "Oh, I met this Latina that can sing at this - I know
Estefania. I'm gonna reach out." And then, like, so true. Yeah, yeah.
Shaudy Martinez 36:14
Let's start the podcast one moment to reflect, moment of reflection.
Estefania Mena 36:15
Moment to reflect, moment of reflection.
Shaudy Martinez 36:18
Because maybe you know a lot of people that they are not helping in your career
or whatever.
Estefania Mena 36:25
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 19
You gotta put yourself out there. And you guys, you're not gonna believe me, and
probably you're not gonna believe me either, but I am a shy person. I don't like
going - I don't - okay, for me, a perfect day would be a pizza with a soda or a
beer. That would be like perfect for me. But no, instead, I need to put these fancy
things on and be like, "Hi, Estefania, nice to meet you."
Shaudy Martinez 36:55
Oh. I suffer, but I think it's part of the process, because it's part of the show to be
around a lot of people. When you are by yourself, you just want to be quiet and
alone. Yeah. Your work requires to be around a lot of people, yeah, yeah.
Estefania Mena 37:13
But sometimes I just don't want to. Yeah. But yeah, that's one of the things - you
know, in your career, you will always find something that you might not like a lot.
This is, for me, the thing that I - will be shy. I will be like, "Okay, hi." I don't like it a
lot, but I do it.
Geovanny Mayorga 37:32
Now with the Water Theater - what's it called? Water People Theater. Water
People Theater. You did a theater project now that you wrote, or co-wrote, or what
was that?
Estefania Mena 37:48
Oh, so they opened. What was it? Like a contest or—
Shaudy Martinez 37:52
A contest or no?
Geovanny Mayorga 37:57
A contest, maybe.
Estefania Mena 37:59
A contest of - for women. And the thing was that it needed to be women. The play
needed to be about women's rights. And it needed to be in Spanish. So the
contest was from all Latin America and Spain. And I write too. So I had this play
that I started writing in Mexico City, and with time, it became a film. So I left the
play behind, and then I grabbed the play again. I was like, "Oh, I can just change
some things." I kind of rewrote the play again. And then I was like, "Oh, I have this
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 20
baby. I don't know if I want to share it with the world. It is my first play." But I said,
"Okay, I'm gonna submit it." I submitted. I didn't tell anyone that I was gonna
submit it. I just did. And two months after I did, I got an email like, "Hey,
congratulations. Your play has been selected to be part of this theatrical concert
that was this past April at Instituto Cervantes here in River North." And they did a
stage reading of my play. And it was the first time that actually I was known as a
writer, instead of just the singer or the actress, which I love. But I think I'm just
discovering this new facet of myself.
Geovanny Mayorga 39:27
What was, what's the name of it?
Estefania Mena 39:29
Well, it's in Spanish, so it's Ecos Sonoros, but it is translated to Sonorous Echoes,
which means like the echoes of resilient women.
Geovanny Mayorga 39:41
Oh yeah. Very nice, yes. And what happened with that? It was just a stage
reading?
Estefania Mena 39:47
And it was a stage reading, yes.
Geovanny Mayorga 39:49
Do you still have - I mean, do you have the rights? Or did the rights pass on to—
Estefania Mena 39:52
No, I have the rights. Yes. What's going to happen next? We don't know. Stay
tuned.
Geovanny Mayorga 39:57
Okay. Well, that's a great step to take, to be recognized and be honored in that
way. Yes. How many do you know? How many entries were in that contest?
Estefania Mena 40:07
I think there were like around 47.
Geovanny Mayorga 40:11
Still. I mean, from around the world.
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 21
Estefania Mena 40:14
From writers from all around the world. It was like, wow. Yeah, it was amazing.
Geovanny Mayorga 40:18
How many plays were selected?
Estefania Mena 40:20
Five. Fifty, nice.
Geovanny Mayorga 40:22
And you work with them, right? Shaudy, no?
Shaudy Martinez 40:25
I go to plays. They always - what do you know about them? And I know them
because the director, I don't know, Rebecca Alemán. She was a famous, famous,
famous artist in Venezuela - actress. So when I saw her here, it's like, she lives
here.
Estefania Mena 40:43
Sorry, she lives here. Yes, correct, yes.
Shaudy Martinez 40:46
So they always organize shows and plays at the Instituto Cervantes. So
sometimes I'm going there. So this is like full circle, because when she started
saying, like, "Yeah, I collaborate with this." And then, "Oh, but I know them."
Geovanny Mayorga 41:07
Yes, right. So now you've done a little bit of everything. Yes. Is there a particular
focus moving forward that you're focusing on?
Estefania Mena 41:18
So I have this personal project that I'm working on. And I - oh, well, I am a
songwriter too.
Geovanny Mayorga 41:24
Multi-talented. Thanks.
Estefania Mena 41:28
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 22
I am working on an EP, so I want to put my music out there, just as I did with my
play. So that's what I'm - that's my personal project. But I also want to be involved
in - I love theater. I'm passionate about theater, but I also love film. So I want to
explore both filming and theater as an actress. And I also sing with a band, Lakes
Bright Band, Latin Lakes Bright, Latin band. So if you guys want to check us out,
we perform in a lot of places. We have been performing. We performed Cinco de
Mayo in Pilsen. Probably we're going to be, I don't know, mid-summer. When is
this coming out? But we're going to be at Midsommar Fest, and we're gonna be at
the Center on Halsted. I think that's gonna be in August. So you can just check
online - Lakes Bright Latin Band. I'm a singer there. Just keep exploring the arts.
Shaudy Martinez 42:33
I'm kind of shocked, to be honest, because it's like you are in Chicago. You
learned English to open more doors and develop your career here, but you're
focused on Spanish songs, and everything is related to the Spanish speakers or
Spanish listeners. I don't know - it's a Latin community, but here in Chicago or
United States, and it's like, but you are in Chicago, focused on Latin America or
Spanish speakers?
Estefania Mena 43:07
Yeah, I think I honor—
Geovanny Mayorga 43:10
There are no limits. Well, there's a huge market, obviously, in the United States.
Shaudy Martinez 43:17
Yeah. Just learned the language here to see if you have more opportunities and
going back to Latin America. You are developing a career here that is worth it also.
But that speaks very loud about what is this country made of - large markets.
Estefania Mena 43:35
Yes. Of Latino. Because I say that I am a Latina artist. Like I do Latino. I do
Spanglish a lot, a lot. I think my life now works in Spanglish. So I love it. Yeah,
sometimes my brain goes, "Ratata," and I go, "Wait, wait. I need a break," because
I need to be translating and focusing on both a lot. So having this English skill is
amazing because it opens doors. It open doors. But also I think I have been true to
my roots. I honor where I come from. I honor my journey, not only Guatemala, but
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 23
Mexico. So that has been also like a big thing that has made me who I am as an
artist, maybe as an artist and as a person.
Geovanny Mayorga 44:37
Yes, excellent. Thanks. So as I've mentioned before, we do - you know, we're
doing this podcast because I think Estefania is a perfect example of - and I've said
this in the past - the great people and talent that we have at Midwestern Career
College that not a lot of people know about unless you know Estefania, unless you
know Shaudy. You know, we learn about Dr. Resto and his double PhDs and his
wonderful experience, and people wouldn't know that unless we talk about it. So
it's been wonderful to learn about who you are, where you come from, what
you've done, your experiences, and to share that with potential - prospective
students or people visiting Chicago. So any last things, just wrapping up?
Shaudy Martinez 45:32
Once again, I mean, thank you for coming. I love your story. Thank you. I wish you
the best. Break a leg every time you have a gig. And I hope - yeah, you continue
following your dreams, and I'm super glad that we helped you to develop that
other part that is gonna definitely open your doors in your career. English, we
added that.
Geovanny Mayorga 45:59
We're seeing the next Latina star right here in front of us.
Shaudy Martinez 46:05
When we see you in some - what was your—
Geovanny Mayorga 46:09
Your students? Yeah, your—
Estefania Mena 46:11
Web page. Oh, estefaniamena.com, or you can just follow me on my Instagram. I
think it's Estefania_Mena33. That's me, and I post about my art there. About if I
have a new performance or just anything. I post thoughts, ideas, inspirational
things, creative process. Yes.
Geovanny Mayorga 46:37
Yes. Right? Yes.
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 24
Estefania Mena 46:38
And thank you guys for having me here. It has been an honor. This is the first
podcast that I do in English, so I was a little bit nervous. Thank you, and thank you
to all of my teachers through my ESL program, because I think I wouldn't have
done it without their help. They were so good with me. And thank you from the
bottom of my heart. I love you, teachers.
Shaudy Martinez 47:03
You don't say names?
Estefania Mena 47:05
I don't say names, but thank you. You know who you are. Exactly.
Geovanny Mayorga 47:10
Wonderful. So thank you. It's been an honor and a pleasure to have you. We wish
you the best of luck. Thank you. As we wrap up, just remind listeners to follow us
on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, whatever your favorite
streaming site is. Write to us at podcast@mccollege.edu, and we will speak to you
on our next episode. Thank you very much Estefania, thank you.
Estefania Mena
Bye, bye.
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May 15, 2024
MCC Campus Connections Podcast - Episode 9: Estefania Mena 25
