Famous 'burquena lends accent to UNM

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - The star of the YouTube hit " Stuff 'Burqueños Say " is at it again. This time Lynette is going back to school lending her character to the University of New Mexico to help teach and recruit international students.

New Mexico has a unique culture, and certain slang is just part of it.

Now UNM hopes introducing foreign students to a well-known burqueña known as Lynette will help persuade them stay in Albuquerque and even convince some of their friends to come here, too.

Lynette La 'Burqueña lectured at the University of New Mexico Friday. The character played by actress and Santa Fe native Lauren Poole spoke to international students about certain New Mexico slang used around town and on the etiquette of ordering food with red or green chile.

"My mom says Christmas is for cheaters that can't make up their minds," she explained.

Poole showed students how to make red and green chile and explained to them how to answer the state question, which is, "Red or green?"

She also showed her viral YouTube video "Stuff 'Burquenos Say".

More than half a million people have watched the video which pokes fun of how some native New Mexicans speak, saying things like "Do you want a coke?" when referring to any type of soda, or saying things like "sangwich" instead of sandwich.

Poole, a UNM alumni, explained to foreign students the need to understand the culture to thrive on campus and to be able to laugh right along with their peers who might reference the video.

Recruiters say it's a lesson they'd like to spread.

"We are hoping they take that message back with them to their countries because they are excellent ambassadors," said Mary Anne Saunders who assists the president with international affairs.

Students said they loved the lecture and learned a thing or two while gaining a laugh.

"It kind of creates a platform to start the process of intercultural communication between native students and international students," said Zhibin Hong, and international student from China.

Poole said she never expected her character Lynette to get so much attention. She has received some criticism about Lynette, but said, and University officials agree, Lynette is simply meant to be funny.

UNM has almost 450 international students from 66 countries. New UNM President Robert Frank has said he plans to focus on increasing that number.

Lauren/Lynette is also using her talents to promote the New Mexico State Fair. She has two new videos titled : Donkey Talk and Lynette rides the Slingshot .