Getting to know (YU)catán

Our students moved in to their host families this past weekend! There were nerves and excitement from everyone - but mostly just excitement! After their first encounters the students were off with their Yucatecan families for the weekend.

Students spent the weekend getting acquainted with their new homes: they helped with the cooking, went to concerts, attended religious celebrations, and ate lots of new delicious food!

The host families are one of the most enriching parts of the immersion program. The connections made by sharing your lives, culture, and food together for the next two months is sure to leave unforgettable marks.

Bianca and her family.

Julia and her mom.

Halle and her mom.

An and his family.

Kira and her family.

Sahra and her family.

Ella and her family.

Emmanuelle and her family.

Thomas and his dad.

Petra and her mom.

Griffin and his family.

Morgan and her family.

Maxim and his mom.

Marina and her mom.

Students will live with their host families, attend holiday parties, go to church events, share meals, and do everything their families do throughout the program. By the end of which they will be a true member of the family.

We are so excited for all the experiences to come for our students and their families! We can’t wait to see what they do next!

Small Town Days: Our time in Yaxunah

Before we began our time in the rural community of Yaxunah, we passed through the small city of Acanceh, where we were able to tour through the market and visit the prehispanic structures that make up the ancient Mayan settlement that today is fused with the architecture and modernity of the town. These ancient structures tell their story through the exposed stones and glimpses of preserved stucco. The pyramid of the masks holds eight stuccoed masks, two on each side of the structure, each one with characteristics associated with the sun god Kinich Ahau. A few blocks away, past the large catholic church and down a side street, surrounded by family homes, the Palace of Stuccos has a frisee that adorns the north face of the building with zoomorphic beings. Just like in the city, the best part of the program is when the students get to meet their new host families. The family is the main pillar of support for the student’s immersion into any context, but it is especially important in smal

The Grand Adventure: Orientation Trip

Our orientation trip began in the southern part of the state of Yucatan, in the community of San Mateo, where we were able to explore the natural resources of the area and learn about a few of the most important trees in the Mayan culture. We also admired historic buildings in the middle of the jungle that are evidence of military bases that were established along the ancient roads of Yucatan after the Caste War. One of the most fascinating experiences we had was entering into what the ancient Mayans knew as the inframundo , or the underworld. We rappelled down into the cenote of San Mateo, breaking the silence within and sending hundreds of bats circling around the high vaulted ceiling of this massive natural well. It is a unique experience that very few people are lucky enough to see. The next part of our trip took place in the state of Quintana Roo, where we were awed by the beauty and culture of the region. We enjoyed our stay at the lakeside cabañas Síijil Noh Há. The food was g

Merida: Our Days in the City

The first part of the student’s time in Merida, meeting and integrating into their host families, is probably the most important step in beginning an immersion program. In our case, here in Merida, host families are fundamental for the students to adapt to their new urban context. Another important aspect of their time in Merida are their Spanish classes, since the language will allow them to interact and immerse themselves more completely in the culture. During these language classes, the students not only learn grammar and structure, but they are also able to develop their own linguistic abilities by sharing, discussing and practicing the everyday vocabulary and expressions that they hear outside of the classroom. Mayan culture classes are another key part of the program, they help the students understand diverse aspects of the culture, how a Yucatecan family lives, the differences between interacting in an urban or a rural setting, and provide the hidden historical context for wha

Adventures in Yucatan, Mexico

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