By Alexandra Paucescu
I first met Cristina Rodriguez on a rainy autumn day in Brussels, two years ago. Despite the dreary weather, she arrived with an air of warmth and poise, a woman whose energy effortlessly draws people in. Her friendliness and eagerness to engage spoke volumes about her open heart, a hallmark of someone accustomed to new friendships and fresh experiences. She was anxious to know more about brussels, to discover more about Belgium, to make it her new ‘home’.
Born into a cultivated family in Mexico City, she was raised by an architect father and a university teacher mother. An older brother and younger sister completed their close-knit household. ‘I was an imaginative child’, Cristina recalls, her smile revealing a hint of nostalgia. ‘I dreamed of faraway lands and adventures with friends and cousins. Math was never my forte, but languages, history, travel, and the arts… those were my playgrounds.’
This passion for exploration guided her to a degree in International Relations at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, which included a transformative exchange program in Lyon, France. From there, the world opened up further. Her career at the Mexican Senate’s Commission for International Relations with Europe and later, a master’s degree in Geopolitics and Global Security at La Sapienza University in Rome, prepared her for the multifaceted life of a diplomatic spouse.
When she married her husband, a diplomat in the Mexican Foreign Service, she embraced a life of movement and reinvention. ‘A couple of weeks after our wedding, I packed my whole life and moved to Arizona, his first posting. From there, we spent five magical years in Rome, and then Washington, D.C. Each place shaped me in ways I never anticipated.’
Her time in Washington, D.C., during tumultuous years, revealed the strength of the international diplomatic community. ‘The friends I made there were my stronghold, my star in the darkness’ says Cristina. ‘We all came from different corners of the world, but the challenges we shared bonded us deeply.’
This openness to connection is emblematic of what she represents as part of the new wave of diplomatic spouses: elegant, well-educated, and culturally attuned, yet grounded in authenticity. ‘Being a diplomatic spouse is a life of contrasts’ she explains. ‘It’s a privilege to live in different cultures and grow in unexpected ways. But it also comes with sacrifices—losing your own career or feeling like your identity is tied to someone else’s job.’
In the face of such challenges, she has found her own power. ‘We have the unique ability to create a more inclusive and empathetic world. By bridging divides and fostering genuine connection, we remind others of the shared humanity that unites us all.’
Her love of food has played a significant role in fostering those connections. ‘I wasn’t able to fry an egg until I was 25’, she laughs, ‘but YouTube tutorials came to my rescue.’ Today, she’s a dedicated cook, even winning a Korean cooking competition in Washington. ‘Food is a universal language. It gives you a glimpse into a culture and sparks conversations that lead to understanding and respect.’
Her culinary journey reflects her love of her homeland, where the flavours of Mexico remain her touchstone. ‘Mexican food speaks to my heart. But I never stop exploring cuisines from around the world. It’s one of the joys of this life.’
Her pride in Mexico extends beyond its cuisine. ‘Our country is so much more than the stereotypes of sombreros and mariachi bands. It’s a place of incredible diversity—deserts, snowy mountains, jungles, and beaches. Our cultural heritage is vast, from ancient civilizations to modern innovations in science, art, and technology.’
Yet, Cristina acknowledges the responsibility of representing her homeland abroad. ‘Stereotypes diminish when people experience real, human stories. By sharing our culture and breaking down prejudices one interaction at a time, we foster a more nuanced understanding of Mexico.’
This ethos of storytelling is central to her latest endeavour: her debut novel. ‘It started as an autobiographical novel but took on a life of its own’, she shares. The book follows Catalina, a young woman navigating life in Rome. Struggling to save a quaint trattoria from misfortune, Catalina discovers her own creative voice and culinary talent, building a life as fulfilling as the dishes she creates. ‘It’s a story of self-discovery and resilience, inspired by my experiences.’
As our conversation winds down, she reflects on the philosophy that guides her: ‘I am enough as I am, yet boundless in what I can become. I honour the past, cherish the present, and embrace the limitless possibilities of tomorrow.’
A true representative of the new diplomatic spouse, Cristina is much more than a partner in service. She is a bridge between cultures, a storyteller, a nurturer of connections, and an inspiration to those around her. And just as her journey is far from over, so too is the impact she will undoubtedly continue to make.
About the author:
Alexandra Paucescu- Author of “Just a Diplomatic Spouse” Romanian, management graduate with a Master in business, cultural diplomacy and international relations studies.
She speaks Romanian, English, French, German and Italian, gives lectures on intercultural communication and is an active NGO volunteer.
